PUBLISHED IN PRINT (Vol. 30, Issue 3)
Going to Spain was one of my favorite experiences of high school. It was also one of the scariest. Being dropped off at a new family’s apartment in a city I didn’t know and a language I was minorly proficient in was hard. The school days were long and I often created notebook games for myself to cure boredom. But hard things can also be incredible. My exchange student, Jimena, is now one of my very best friends. Our uniting moment: screaming “Enchanted” by Tavlor Swift as we walked down the streets of Chemartin after having dinner with her friends.
Moving to a new city – even if it’s for a month – is fascinating. To reside in a very local part of town was perfect for people watching: I often found myself comparing Spaniards’ daily activities and norms to those in the United States. Trust me when I say how different their lifestyles are. (Fun fact: I never used to eat breakfast before school – I’d eat something small if need be, but after seeing and participating in their extravagant breakfasts, I’ve never gone back. Spanish people typically have a large breakfast because they’re setting themselves up to have lunch around 2-3pm and dinner at 10pm.) It was even more fascinating, though, to be the shadow of a European girl my age. To spend time with her friends, see her fight with her parents, go to her volleyball practices and weekend activities. So similar yet so different. We found joy in comparing cultural differences and similarities, bonding over shared interests and TV shows (Co-incidentally, Friends is a favorite for both of us).
Having her come to San Francisco was awesome too. It sparked a new love for my city: seeing it through her eyes, showing her everything – it was magical.
As for advice: my number one tip would be to experience everything that you can.
I am a risk-taker, and it served me well: I wouldn’t have tried all the food I did or gone to the places I went if I wasn’t.
Something I didn’t put enough effort into was learning the language. I’ve failed to mention until now that Jimena is a fluent English speaker. Though I was exposed to a fully-Spanish speaking environment, I frequently took the easy way out and spoke in English. I regret that now and speak in Spanish as much as I can with her, on calls or in texts.
Additionally: although you’d learn the language better solo, it was also incredible to be in Madrid at the same time as a fellow Convent student. Being thousands of miles away from home is hard, and having someone recognizable made the change much more comfortable. Plus it was nice to have her to verify the use of slang words which confused our Spanish friends (cap, slay, yeah no vs. no yeah, etc.) Callie and I were instantly bonded and I’m incredibly grateful for our friendship, but her presence did not help my fluency.
If you have access to do an exchange or to travel abroad, I wholeheartedly advise you to do it. Immerse and expose yourself. Learn all that you can. You’ll thank yourself later.
