Hola mis amigos!! Guess who’s back in Spain for the summer? This girl :)
Wow, I am so excited that I’m across the pond yet again and back in my favorite city! Since last July, I have been working as an Institutional Relations Coordinator for a company called Spanish Studies Abroad. Pretty straightforward, but the job includes visiting higher education institutions throughout my region of the Southeast US. I promote study abroad opportunities to students and faculty to spend a short-term, semester, or academic year in our locations in Spain and Latin America. In the off-season, I remain constantly in contact primarily with interested students, and do a lot of behind-the-scenes work. I’ve recently transitioned into more of a marketing role, and I am hopeful that becomes my full-time gig with SSA in the near future.
That being said! I had inquired about participating in a short-term summer program through the company so that I could fully understand the dynamics of a program, experience our locations firsthand, and continue to improve my Spanish fluency. After months of it being in the works, my inquiry was approved and I got my “yes” in mid-April. Flight booked, 3x per week tutoring lessons to better prepare, and a little too much shopping later, I’m writing to you from the terrace of my host mom’s apartment.
So, where am I? SEVILLE, BABY!
Seville quickly stole my heart from the moment I set foot on those historic cobblestone streets in September 2021 when I had first arrived in Spain for my academic year of teaching English. There’s just something about the city that speaks to me, and I immediately feel a sense of peace and belonging.
I arrived on Tuesday, June 27th around 12:30pm after a very long flying process. Raleigh -> Washington, D.C. -> Frankfurt, Germany -> Seville, Spain. I contemplated throwing the crying toddler out the window for that 7.5 hour overnight flight. Okay, not really, but it was not a fun time.
During my time here, I am staying with a host mom to get the full student experience. Sonia is a fun divorcee with two kids (21 & 18) who house jump throughout the week between here and their dad’s place. We’ve already delved into a variety of topics and secrets, and I am so happy that I was placed with her. She has also been a blessing by accommodating to my dietary restrictions and provides nutritious authentic meals twice per day, as I usually make my own quick breakfast. I’ve had to ask her to make my serving sizes smaller; I’m not sure where homegirl thinks all of that food is going!
As today marks nearly a full week, I have a bit to catch you all up on! I’ve accepted a fair share of “free” coffee from my coworkers at SSA’s Center (real in-person coworkers!!) and Sonia by now, but that’s besides the point. Last week, I spent my days working at the Center, which was an absolute god-send with all of the hectic marketing we’ve been trying to work on. Cheers to being able to discuss in person! The Center is only open from 9:00am to 2:30pm, as everyone in Spain goes home to have lunch with their families and take a siesta. I continue to work a little longer after lunch, but it all plays out as it’s WAY too hot to be outside between the hours of 2:30-6:30 or so. Dear reader, the temperature has been a steady 96 to 110 degrees. :’) In the evenings, I typically grab un cafe con leche sin lactosa o un tinto verano with Sonia or people I’ve met in my short week. We then eat dinner on the terrace every night around 10:00pm and chat until 11:30pm before heading off to bed. Friday and Saturday night guarantee a later night, as lots of people go out later for dinner/drinks. Sonia, her friend, and I went on a 2.5 mile midnight walk on Friday!
I had also met the other girls in the SSA summer program on Friday evening during our orientation and enjoyed a quick drink with them. I was a little nervous as I am two years out of college by now, but we all jived really well and they didn’t regard me with hesitation. We also had an included day-trip excursion to Córdoba on Saturday, which brought us instantly closer. I’m excited to spend this next month with them and I know I’ll have plenty of stories to tell.
Speaking of stories… Those closest to me will know I’m being serious when I say my life is a movie when I travel. Not sure if it’s the energy I put into the universe or if she’s putting in the work for me, but incredible things always happen to me everywhere I go. Seville novio numero uno entered the chat on Thursday hahaha and we got a couple of drinks and tapas together next to Las Setas. Two hours of talking and laughing turned into a “what if we got tattoos together” which turned into “I booked an appointment at Haus of Tattoo” which turned into a small clover on my arm and a Red Hot Chili Peppers inspired tattoo on his thigh. Sorry Mom and Dad (there’s more coming, too). Easily the most attractive man I’ve spent time with, and such a genuine heart and soul. We spent all of Saturday afternoon and night together, plus a quick coffee date today to say our goodbyes. He’s featured on two film camera shots, though! Please, please, PLEASE develop correctly!! We left with hopes to see each other back in the States in either Florida or North Carolina. Sonia is also in love with him (it’s a joke) and calls him “el Bombón.” She’s not wrong!
Today was also the first official day of the program! To fully understand the dynamics, I am taking a class alongside two university students. The class - Spanish for Business - is a 300-level course that meets four times per week from 9:00am - 1:00pm with a 30-minute break. We will go through several units over the realm of business and marketing, and are required to give a couple of presentations and complete a final exam. I just am so freaking baffled at my level of Spanish. Even a year ago, I would not have been able to process half of what I am able to now. My brain did THAT! I know TWO LANGUAGES! That I learned later in life! INCREDIBLE! I’m just so proud of myself.
I’ve fully prepared myself to spend a good chunk of change on clothes since it’s sale season and I cannot find jeans in the US that fit me as well as they do here, nor do I like the clothes in the US nearly as much as here. My classmate asked where I shop, saying that I look like a local. Another told me I have a really good Spaniard accent. My god-complex is pretty high.
There’s so much more to come and I am so excited that you are all here with me yet again. Stay tuned for more adventure, as I know you’re all pretty accustomed to it by now, and lots of updates on my host mom and experience as a student again. Upcoming posts will include a trip to our sites in Barcelona and Alicante, more tattoos (they’re way cheaper here, I can’t resist!), a Spanish reunion or two, and the trip of the summer when my girl Hattie joins me for a 2-week vacay. I just really love my life. Remember, it’s all about experiences at the end of the day.
Besitos,
Amanda