March 12th 2014

Another wonderful blog post from one of Student Reps - Rebekah

------------------------------------

In the past week, I have been exposed to a different culture, have had less than more miscommunications, and have discussed various forms of "living in the moment", and what that means.

Some highlights/anecdotes of the week include:
-The sunshine, and how much nicer it's been to walk 
without a heavy coat.  
-The tapas tour of a few bars around Salamanca.
-All 50 students partaking in the "icebreakers" speed-friend-dating session.
-In general, the lattes at Don Quijote Cafe (a pretty cheap venue adjacent to the school).
-Figuring out how and what kind of medicine to buy at the farmacias for the cold all of us were swamped by.
-Exploring different areas of Salamanca.
-Feeling accomplished in the classes we are taking.
-Being inspired [by other students], [by surroundings].

This Thursday night around 11:30, 30 of us took an overnight bus to Algeciras. I opened my eyes between sleeping, just as the sun was rising over green hills and backlit trees. It was one of the most beautiful things I can remember seeing. I was amazed to find that on the ride back in full daylight, Southern Spain is largely agricultural. People here prefer to live in cities, so a large part of the country has yet to be planed and done over by the industry. It's pretty refreshing. 

We caught a ferry to Ceuta around 8AM, and spent Friday in Chefchaouen. This city in the mountains is painted blue to fend off both evil spirits and mosquitos. People were very friendly, and it was awesome to feel the spacious expanse just outside of the compact city structure. We were brought to a rug and tapestry place where many students bought items hand-woven and hand-dyed with saffron, indiga, henna, mint, and other natural pigments.


The next day, the guide showed us around his home city of Tetouan. 
This Medina was founded in the 13th Century, with its strongest roots in Islam and Judaism, though a variety of religions have thrived and lived together peacefully for centuries. We went to this pharmacy that held every kind of herb and oil imaginable for any ailment conceivable. There were glass jars lining the exquisitely shaped, tall painted walls. The men allowed us to try lots of perfumes, lotions, and even some medicines. Argon oil and saffron for all. We continued to walk through the tiny, crowded streets alive with vendors, besieged with smells foreign and familiar. 

Tangier was similar, though more modern. After using an alien monetary system to haggle prices, I enjoyed a moment with some dried fruits beside a fountain. I had never been so culture-shocked in my life, although a majority of those whose native language was Arabic, also spoke English and Spanish. Our tour guide used Spanglish. 

The food was fantastic, full of many flavors and spices. The meat was high quality, served with fresh vegetables. We also enjoyed the trademark Moroccan tea served with lots of honey after every meal. The restaurants had these incredibly decorative and inviting pillows everywhere. And I was delighted to find that this patriarchal society follows a lunar calendar. 

The Spanish Sahara was full and bright, and the sand collected was lost on the plane ride over. 

Ciao until the Next Time.  

Roommates

Maria one of our student ambassadors shares how her roommates have enriched her experiences studying abroad. This is a beautiful blog post about how travelling is wonderful, but really it is the people you share it with that make it much more important.

----------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve been here a few weeks now and I must say that when I decided I wanted to study abroad, I did not take into the consideration that a huge part of my experience here was meeting new people and making new friends.  I have always been shy person so I guess I never thought about what it would be like to have roommates.  My roommates are AMAZING; they are so much fun and so loving and patient. They have definitely made my time here in Salamanca so much more memorable than it already is.  We are all different from each other but that is what makes it so great. We also relate to each other very well because we are all living the same experience, which has made it easier in times when we feel homesick or just miss our familiar surroundings. I would say that if you are planning to study abroad definitely look into share an apartment with other students! It could be one of the best experiences that will last a lifetime!

Trip tip: If you are planning to study abroad or just traveling for a long period of time, make sure you pack the right adapters for any electronics you might have.  For example, if you have a laptop charger with a 3 prong connection, make sure you have an adapter with a 3 prong connection. (also consider the wattage)

Carnaval Time!

One of our Student Ambassadors - Kayla, shares her experiences partaking in the carnaval atmosphere and watching the bull runs for the first time at Ciudad Rodrigo. 

.........................

I recently had the opportunity to experience the Carnival del Toro in Ciudad Rodrigo! It was by far one of the most interesting things I have ever seen or been involved in. Immediately, I fell in love with the streets and the little bars and cafes that lined them. They were built with barred entrances just big enough for a person to slide through and too small for the bulls that would later be charging down the path at tons of crazy daredevils. My friends and I had a front row seat to the bull run. Hanging on to the  gates that closed in the streets of the run, we were right in the action. Mid run we had to leap off of the gate and into the crowd because a confused and angry toro decided to ram the gate right where we were hanging. It was a rushh! 

Later in the evening they then preform the traditional bull fight or bull killing. As they take each of the four bulls involved into the arena and fight them off with knives and swards, the crowd cheers for each blow to the bull. In the end each bull dies and is used for food for the city. I have mixed feelings about the fight but it is part of their culture and tradition. This was an experience I will never forget!

The first two weeks.

This is Ashley's second blog post concerning her first two weeks studying abroad in Salamanca. 

..................................................

Now that I am nearing the end of my first two weeks in Salamanca, my culture shock has greatly subsided and has been replaced with a cultural understanding. Things are obviously still very different than back at home in San Diego; however, I am finding myself understanding and appreciating why they are different a little more everyday.

There are two very valuable lessons my newfound understanding has taught me. The first is the difference between the words need and want; and the second is that sometimes less can be more.

Back at home when I “needed” to get something from the store, I had the luxury of hopping in my car and driving there. Once at the store, I would mindlessly grab other items I “realized I needed” once I passed by them in the aisle. However, during my first trip to the grocery store in Spain, I quickly learned the additional items were simply things I wanted and that it is time to leave them behind. My first day in Salamanca, my roommate and I went to the store to buy some groceries and a few “essentials” for our apartment; yet despite our intentions of only buying things we “needed”, we left the store with eight very heavy bags to carry home between the two of us. The walk from the grocery store to our apartment is less than a mile away; but with the sweat, torment, and frustration these heavy bags caused for us, the walk home was miserable to say the least. As soon as we walked out of the store and I longed for my car to put our groceries in, I knew I did not need at least half of what I had bought; I simply just wanted them.

I learned a lot from this experience and now think more carefully about what I am buying and if I actually need it when going to the store. This need versus want type of lifestyle reflects in many other aspects of Spanish culture. Apartments and restaurants are smaller here, there are no Targets, Costco’s, or Wal-Mart’s with everything you may “need” causing you to buy everything at once, and servers at restaurants are much slower in Spain because they are aware the people they are serving do not need their food right away, they just want it. This lifestyle allows the people in Spain to be more relaxed and much less stressed than Americans; and thus, brings me to my second lesson that less is more.

If Americans could learn to live with less, they would get much more out of life. I have noticed during the last couple of weeks that the people here walk much slower on the streets. They stop and talk with friends, enjoy the fresh air, and take their time enjoying their journey to their destination. In the streets of New York City, which do not look terribly different from the way Salamanca is designed, this is never the case. People are constantly alone walking as fast as they can to the place they “need” to be. People do not take the time to smile to their neighbor or even notice the whether outside because they are always stressed for time. My Spanish teacher who is a Spanish native, has told me on more than one occasion to relax and that “it’s okay” when I come to class frantic and apologizing for being late.

I believe if Americans could take away from what I have learned, we could reduce stress related health problems such as heart attacks or cancer. We need to learn we do not need the biggest house or the fanciest car, we do not need to buy a month’s worth supply of food at a time, we do not need to kill ourselves over getting to places on time; we just want these things. And if we could learn to live without them, we would be more satisfied with what we do have, less stressed about what we do not have, and given the opportunity to attain more meaningful aspects of life such as, time with friends or family.

I personally plan to embrace the lessons I have learned in hopes it will enhance my experience here in Salamanca as well as my life back at home. I believe I will get more out of life by having and wanting less. Life is too short to run through it in a hurry. I have faith these lessons will enable me to relax, take a step back, truly experience my life, and capture the beauty of the world around me.

Until next time…Ashley Rusonik <3

March 3rd 2014

Rebekah, another of our Student Ambassadors, has written a beautiful piece on her experiences studying abroad in Salamanca. Have an enjoyable read!

......................................................................................................................................

Upon arriving in Madrid two weeks ago, all the Americans fell asleep. I’ve found that while we dream in Salamanca, those we hold connections with back home are living our yesterday. In a sense, we are a part of two days everyday. This has been a concept hard for me to shake in learning to live fully here, both in this moment and in these surroundings.

I have grown accustomed to being in a beautiful area, and while San Diego is known for its beaches and sun, Salamanca has been just as beautiful with its rich history and depth of character. Some of the buildings date back to the 12^th Century, and you can practically feel the wisdom and experience seeping through the stone walls, and through the tombs lying beneath the Catedral Vieja. Some highlights deserving recognition include; the pastries, the tranquila atmosphere, the outline of the city, and the freedom to have the ability to live without needing a car. There are lots of young people, both Spanish and foreigners, who come to study at the university. I have yet to see someone walking down the street without class. People here have style. There are lots of fur coats, jewelry and general pizzazz present in the everyday, a much-appreciated change from the lazy attitude towards appearance that the US often harbors. I wasn’t kidding when I told friends I’d return a more cultured woman. And at the same time, the smallest cravings of things American have issued some of the highest rewards. Tacos, for example.

 My main experience with culture shock was going to see El Correo del Toros this past weekend at Ciudad Rodrigo. I stayed for only two of the four bullfights/corrida de toros. It got a bit emotional. A bunch of men (toreros) with pink and yellow capes began to play with the bull, distracting it for the first jab, which was made by a lancer on a horse (picador). After the toreros took turns pinning the bull with decorative swords, the matador entered scene. He had the bull run after the red cape, and in its exhaustion, the matador stabbed the bull a few times more. I did not expect the blood to be so bright. There was a moment in both fights where the bull was breathing super heavily, and looked up and around the stadium, as if searching for escape. He was eventually finished off (estocada) by a man with a short knife to the back of the neck and spinal cord. I don’t see how any other Taurus does it!

It has been a whirlwind of a time, and there’s still so many more adventures waiting to be had.

Some of the Best Advice I’ve Recently Received and Questions I’ve been Asked

-“Not all those who wander are lost.” -The Fellowship of The Ring by J.R.R. Tolken

-Walk like you own it, walk with a purpose

-Trust yourself

-Have fun

-What ideas are you collecting?

-Take time for yourself

-Listen with both your eyes and your ears

-“When death finds you, may it find you alive.” – African Proverb

-Work with that art of letting go and see what it means to be an independent self

Ciao until the Next Time.

New Beginnings in Salamanca

We are very excited to share a submission from one of our Student Ambassadors - Ashley. This blog shares her feelings about leaving home to Study Abroad in Salamanca.

After moving my life to Salamanca, Spain for the next three months, my life is now full of many new adventures, exciting stories, and beautiful pictures to share. 

I left my home in San Diego, California a little over a week ago without knowing a single person or the slightest clue of what to expect; however, I have already made valuable friendships and feel as if I have established a "home away from home" in Salamanca.

For my first post, I would like to share a poem I wrote as we made our departure out of LAX; and simultaneously begun our new adventure.

"New Beginnings"

The plane flew up bringing with it the corners of my smile;
As I left the place I've called home for a while.
I boarded my future in a frazzled kind of style;
And examined the faces I knew would change my life bordering the aisle. 

I knew where I was going;
But I did not know what was there.
All I could do was embrace the excitement that was growing,
Enjoy the journey, and take in all I can bear.

(c) Ashley Rusonik February 13, 2014


After talking to many people in my program, I learned the feeling of being excited, nervous, and apprehensive all at the same time was a commonly shared feeling among most of us. However; I can say confidently that I am not the only person who already feels a strong connection with the city of Salamanca as well as with the new, but important, friendships that have been created here.

It is important  for those of us fortunate enough to be here with AIFS, to take advantage of this opportunity to truly experience the world; and I hope that everyone on this trip, including myself, discover an unlimited amount of new and exciting things not only about the world, but about life and themselves as well.

Until next time...
Ashley Rusonik <3 

Bienvenidos, SCFC Salamanca 2014!

Paper chains were used to mark off the weeks, calendars charted the countdown, cell phone reminders blared 'ONLY 50 DAYS until Salamanca!!' But where does the time go? All of sudden the Salamanca Spring program was upon us, and students frantically ran around buying the last minute essentials for their 10 weeks studying abroad.

It has been a whirlwind 6 days since arrival day, filled with lots of exploring and wonderful memories. The students stayed the first night at a hotel in centre of Madrid with AIFS staff and were able to explore Spain's beautiful capital city. The following day we headed to Salamanca and transferred all students into their accommodation. In the evening we met in the Plaza de Mayor and as fate would have it, at the moment we all met the lights of the Plaza Mayor turned on (of course we told the students it was specially for them - but I'm not sure they believed us).

On Sunday we had an informal walking tour around Salamanca, followed by Orientation and most importantly the welcome lunch. Classes commenced on Monday and students are now getting into the swing of things.

It looks like it's going to be a great semester!