What Happens When You Order an Americano in Spain #HogsAbroad

Coffee in Málaga, Spain is different.  

 First of all, it is not served in mugs, but rather in clear glasses without handles and which hold maybe a quarter of what mugs do.  Having no handles is a nuisance because the walls of the glasses get hot!  Notwithstanding, the taste makes up for it because the coffee has a cleaner flavor and is served with lots of milk.  Not liking my coffee dark, this is a plus.

The most interesting thing about Spanish coffee is not the drink itself, but rather the circumstances under which it is drunk.  In the US, people groan about not having their morning coffee yet and any social interaction at the office or campus coffee fount is limited to small talk. In Spain however, a coffee break is a conduit for social interaction at any time of the morning (which in Spain can be as late as 2:00 PM).  

Coffee is not a means to get through the day, but rather the starting point of great conversation between friends.  I have fond memories of hanging out with classmates at the university coffee shop whenever we had a free hour.  If there was a break before, between, or after classes, one could head down to la cafetería and expect to find people willing to chat.  Once conversation started, it wouldn’t stop until someone had to leave; all manner of topics would come up and everyone was intent to listen and contribute.

Thus, my experience with Spanish coffee was twofold: the drink itself was different, and the social situation around it was different too.  Not only did I learn about this piece of Spanish culture, I got to participate in it too.  This participation is what I especially value because it let make such good friends.

- Andrew, study abroad peer advisor and #HogsAbroad alum in Spain

--
Don't get left behind! Find your own study abroad program to sharpen your taste buds, hone your professional skills and enhance your resume at: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search