Julia Grief is a student at Seattle University and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Sevilla, Spain.
Before arriving in Spain, I researched where my homestay was in relation to the school I would be attending, and it appeared to be about a 25-minute walk. On the first day of school, I strapped on my shoes and prepared myself for what I thought would be a trek but turned out to be the best part of my day. Apart from being to able experience the beautiful scenery of Spain, I quickly discovered many other benefits of my daily commute.
Environmental
One of the main forms of transportation in Spain is walking. Many locals walk to work and school in order to maintain a healthy and green lifestyle. My daily commute allows me to reduce my carbon footprint in a city that is environmentally friendly.
Cultural
There is also no better way to observe the Spanish culture. Every day, I see parents walk their kids to school, people grabbing breakfast at the local café, and Spaniards bustling to their destinations. It is a great way to get a sense of the Spanish lifestyle.
Health
One day, I made sure to wear my Fitbit to track my steps and I quickly surpassed my goal of 10,000 steps with my commute. Starting my day with walking invigorates me for the day and it is a good way to get the recommended daily exercise, because after all, the last thing I want to do while in beautiful Spain is go to the gym!
Lastly, it is beautiful! I couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque daily commute. If you have the opportunity to walk for your commute, make sure to take in your surroundings and enjoy the experience!
The world awaits…discover it.