Matthew Boles is a student at the University of Florida and an ISA Featured Blogger. Matthew studied abroad in Sevilla on an ISA Custom Program through UF.
fluent in English, she allowed me to ask her questions in Spanish so
that I could practice. I now speak Spanish at my internship.
I am now back in the U.S., and I felt like there was a bigger “culture shock” coming back to the U.S. than I has when I went to Spain.
Even though I was only there for six weeks, it was different coming back home because Spain is so different. For example, I am now used to eating huge lunches and taking a well-deserved siesta after. But none of my friends or family members eat big lunches.
Also, it was really nice to be able to understand everyone. This first happened when I was in the airport in North Carolina, and I could actually understand everyone around me. However, when people asked me questions, I first thought about the answers in Spanish.
I knew that I learned in Spain, but it did not fully hit me until I walked into my Spanish class earlier this week. The summer B session started Monday, and I am taking “Spanish at the museums.” I could tell in that class that I learned a lot in Spain. My vocabulary is larger, I can construct better sentences and I do not have to think as much. I felt great.
One great example I can give is at my internship. I work for Catholic Charities, which is a nonprofit organization that helps people of any religion. A woman in the office is fluent, and she helps people who only speak Spanish. But when she is out of the office, I help translate.
I miss Spain already, and it has only been two weeks. It is great to be back in Gainesville, Fla, but I often daydream about Sevilla. I miss eating lunch by the river with friends and trying new food.
I want to return to Spain, and soon. I looked online, and internships are available. I do not know when or where, but I want to return to España.