- We were told that Spanish people “work to live” not “live to work” like Americans do, and this is 100% correct. Family is a very important part of their culture so they make sure to have time for it somewhere.
- If you thought “hispanic time” was bad, let me tell you Spanish people are 2 times later than that. It drives me crazy, but its part of their slower lifestyle, which I have been trying to embrace. Personally, I am a control freak, and I try to organize and plan my day, but here it’s impossible. My first days at work, I would try to get there 5 minutes early, but I was always the first one in the office by far, so I decided to start stopping for coffee occasionally, or walking slower, looking at the beautiful scenery that I see on my way to work, breathing a little more than I do in the United States, and guys it’s not all that bad to stop and smell the roses, you should try it.
- COFFEE. Anyone that knows me, knows that coffee is one of the most important things in my life. I literally cannot live without, so naturally, it was one of the first things I looked for here. I am used to drinking AT LEAST one cup of coffee in the day, and its not that they don´t drink coffee here, it’s just that they take shots of the strongest coffee imaginable and they call it a day. This is called a cortado. I occasionally have a cortado during the day, but when I really miss my American coffee, I go to one of the three Starbucks on the block that I work on. Tall Caramel Macchiato – €4 , Feeding my coffee addiction – priceless
- People stare, a lot. I’m used to avoiding eye contact when walking through the streets in the United States, or if eye contact is made, a nice smile or hello is appropriate. This is not true here. People make eye contact like nobody’s business, and it makes me feel so uncomfortable. I look away, then look back, and they’re still looking. But don’t smile, they won’t smile back, just look into your soul. They arent mean by any means but its just different.
- The food is made up of any type of pork meat, cooked in olive oil, and fruit. It is actually a lot healthier than the food I eat at home. I have already lost weight and my host mom is surprised since I eat a lot here (see mom I told you I was eating) :)
- Speaking of eating. Dinner is at 9 – 9:30 PM. enough said.
- Walking. You walk everywhere here! At home a 20 minute walk is torture for me, but here its just four songs of a casual stroll to my destination. Its nice to be able to get around by foot so easily, but I miss my car soooooooo much!
- NO AC + average 85 degrees = death
- Water is more expensive than wine. Hahahahahahahaha
- 2pm -4pm everyone leaves work to eat and siesta (nap). This is my favorite part of the day.
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Read more from Gabriela at https://gjmolina.wordpress.com/
To find more internship and study abroad opportunities
within Walton College, visit http://walton.uark.edu/global/index.php
