· Reverse Culture Shock . What is "reverse culture shock"? After returning from Spain, have you experienced any “reverse culture shock”? Explain. What do you miss most about living in Spain? What are you grateful for in your life at home? What events or experiences over the past month have had the biggest impact on you and why? Reverse culture shock is the discomfort or seemingly newness of your return home from a trip where you have somewhat adapted to the lifestyle, customs, and routine of that country. I have experienced a little reverse culture shock but in a positive way. After landing in Newark and getting to my train, I felt very familiar as I had taken that train trip many times. I felt a sense of comfort in this but discomfort when I looked out the window. I watched as the dilapidated houses and apartments of new jersey, Delaware, and Maryland passed by my window and experienced such a different scene than I had experienced ...
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· Education . Interview your language partner or host family to learn about the education system in Spain and report your findings comparing and contrasting the Spanish system with the U.S. system. Share your opinion based on your experience and findings. Some questions you might ask your host family or language partner: · How and when do students choose a major? What is their typical course load? Do they take any courses outside of their major? How many years does it usually take to earn a degree? · Where do university students live? Are they involved in clubs or extracurricular activities? What is their daily schedule like? · How much does it cost to attend a university in Spain? Are there scholarships available? Do students work while in school? The educational system of Spain is ...
· Challenges and Triumphs . Describe one personal challenge and one personal triumph you have experienced recently. How did they make you feel? What have you learned from these experiences? Throughout the past few weeks, I have experienced both reassuring triumphs and disheartening challenges. Many of the challenges I have faced have been through unfamiliarity and inability to communicate as well as I can in English. The first challenge I faced that stuck out in my mind was when I was decided to work at the CLM library. It took me a few minutes to find it as it was a smaller room perched on an upper level of the CLM. After two unsuccessful attempts at finding it, I saw the door for “la biblioteca” and entered. There was a sign hanging on the door that instructed students to give their ID to the desk assistant and they would be allowed...
Stereotypes . What stereotypes did you have about Spain and Spanish people prior to the program? Has your experience thus far validated or contradicted any of these stereotypes? Give examples/evidence. Next, talk to your host family and language partner to find out what are some common stereotypes about America/Americans and Spain/Spaniards and report back on what you learn. Do you find these surprising? Offensive? Flattering? Neutral? Do you find any truth in them? Explain. ( Recommended for post 3 or later) Prior to arriving in Spain, I had the stereotype that people outside of the United States had a bias against Americans that they were uncultured, less linguistically educated, and selfish. I have found that most people do not view Americans in this way. I have had a few instances where I was treated with less friendliness in the states due to my inability to communicate in ...
· Culture Shock . Have you experienced any moments so far when you have felt uncomfortable or lost? Were there any moments when you felt “at home”? Describe. Next, read the culture shock article provided by program director. Have you experienced any of the stages of culture shock? Give examples. In your opinion, is culture shock a positive or negative experience? Explain your opinion. I have felt moments where I felt disoriented and lost. Upon arriving in Madrid, and walking to different shops and restaurants, I felt lost because I was not familiar with the city or streets. Walking around a local park made me more comfortable as I gained my bearings and was able to see similarities between American parks with shops and vendors, while being aware enough o recognize differences in layout, buildings, and types of trees/greenery around. I have felt a little uncomfortable in places where I ordered food and there was initial confusion due to my limited linguisti...
· Defining Culture and Expectations . What is culture? What do you know already about Spain and Spanish culture? What do you hope to learn and gain from the upcoming experience of living in Spain for four weeks? Culture includes the totality of a society’s beliefs, practices, art, history, government, achievement, and moral standards of daily life. That is to say culture is the content of a society that shapes its constituents’ ideas, beliefs, and practices. Currently, I am familiar with popular artists from Spain. I have seen several works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali who are both Spanish painters. I am also somewhat familiar with the government and Spain and know that the prime minister is currently Pedro Sanchez. In terms of moral standards and religion, Spain is predominantly Catholic with the majority of citizens identifying as Roman Catholic. I am eager and ready to depart for Spain and hope to learn and gain new persp...