Halfway!
Halfway through my study-abroad experience! I can not believe how fast the time is flying. I have loved every second of my time here. Madrid is beautiful, especially now that it’s spring!
These past two months have been spent in my amazing classes, getting to know new people and traveling to new places. Learning more and more about Spanish culture has truly been a blessing, and I look forward to experiencing it for the remainder of my time here.
It is currently exam week, so I have had lots of time to reflect on my goals regarding academics and just in general. As far as Spanish goes, I am finally starting to feel improvement. I wrote about my classes in my previous blog, but I now feel as though the topics I am learning about right now are starting to stick. My grammar has improved! Speaking, however, is still not as smooth as I would like it to be, but I know I am moving in the right direction.
One thing that has surprised me about the culture here is the pace. I came here thinking that life would be much more “chill” and slower than life in the United States. And, while I still do get to take the afternoon naps they have built into their schedules, life moves surprisingly fast. People are very busy and on the move. The difference, however, is that the people living here seem to understand when it is time to slow down and just enjoy being with people. I love that. I have found myself needing to slow down every once in a while just to enjoy my time here.
I would like to highlight some of my favorite experiences so far (though there are numerous to choose from). One trip that will forever be remembered is to Sintra and Lisbon, Portugal. This was a long weekend trip that I fell in love with. I really appreciated this trip because not only did I get to visit the beautiful tourist attractions, but I was also able to listen to the perspective of a Portuguese local. He told us about their culture and history and took us to places that are often missed by tourists. We spent the whole day with him, learning about the Portuguese people and country.
Another highlight was that my boyfriend (now fiance) visited! It was surprisingly fun being able to play the role of a tourist, showing him all of my favorite places in my home city of Madrid. It was so nice to be able to share with him all of the things I love and have experienced here thus far. We were very busy with tours, traveling, restaurants, and experiencing Spanish life together. I was so grateful for the time we were able to spend together 🙂
We recently took a trip to Tenerife, a beautiful island in Spain. This was one of my favorite weekend trips so far because it was so warm, and we were able to lie on the beach all weekend. It was a much-needed relaxation vacation before I leave for a very busy spring break tomorrow!
One other goal that was important to me before coming on this trip was being able to travel on my own. This has not happened yet – however – I am making plans to make it possible! Everything has been so busy (many weekend trips to amazing places) that I have not had the chance to travel on my own. Making plans for this trip is very exciting for me because it will put me outside of my comfort zone. I really enjoy traveling with the other girls here, so making an independent trip will encourage me to rely on the Spanish I have learned. I have heard many people say that solo travel is very refreshing and peaceful, so I can not wait to see for myself. I do not have a place in mind yet, but Seville, Spain, is definitely on the list.
Something that I want to improve on in the next two months is intentionally putting myself out of my comfort zone. I want to make more friends, travel solo, and keep putting myself in situations where I am able to practice speaking Spanish, even if it is something as small as eating dinner with my Spanish-speaking roommates! I have gotten very comfortable here, which has been a blessing. However, I want to continue to learn. I want to make the most out of my time here. The biggest challenge that I am giving myself for the rest of my time here is to make a conscious effort to tell someone new about Jesus. I want to be a light for Christ while I am here. God has blessed me with this opportunity to study here among people who do not get to hear about Jesus every day, and I want to be the person to tell them about Jesus and His love for them.
Here are just a couple photos! I’ll probably write a separate blog about all my travels, and I will definitely add some more pictures to that one because traveling has been AMAZING.
Intermedio
Halfway. That’s what “intermedio” means. It’s crazy to believe we’re already halfway through our semester abroad.
“Intermedio” is also often used to refer to one of the three primary levels of Spanish learning, being the middle level. I considered myself to be at the high-intermediate level when I came to Spain. Although I may not consider myself at the advanced level yet, I’ve improved my Spanish skills. Being halfway through the semester means we just had our midterm exams. 3 of my 4 classes had them, and I’m happy with the grades I got on those. Half of my classes are based on improving language skills, and the other half focus on specific topics we discuss in Spanish. Both kinds have been super exciting, and I’m enjoying my classes.
Another way to say “half” in Spanish is “la mitad”. This refers more closely to something like the portion size of food. Trying new foods is one of my goals while I’m abroad. This has been more of a challenge than I thought because when I buy groceries to make cheap(er) meals at home, I want to know that I will like it. To save money (as much as possible, at least,) I haven’t been eating out very often, which is where I would try new, well-cooked food. A goal I have made good progress on, besides the academic ones, is going to the gym and staying active. I’ve been walking to locations when possible to get some kind of “cardio.” I finally caved and got a gym membership. I’ve had a lot more free time than I expected, so I decided going to work out would be a good use of this time. I researched places to play basketball, but unfortunately, there aren’t many options. My school has a men’s program but not a women’s. (They must not have Title IX haha.) So, for now, I’ll work on strength and cardio at the gym.
“El medio” is another translation, but I think it better fits when talking about something that’s average. But who wants to be average, right? Instead, I want to write about what I can improve on this upcoming half-semester. The first is my faith life. I have been diligent with listening to a devotion every morning as I get ready for my day, but my Bible journaling hasn’t been as consistent. I’m very excited that I will be going to London for Easter. I’ll meet up with the two other girls from Spain, David, who’s been studying in Galway, and Allie, who’s been studying in London. We will attend the Easter service at the WELS mission church in the London area. After that, I will work on doing a Psalm at least every other day in my journaling Bible. Another area I want to improve on is using Spanish outside of class. I use it during class, of course, but outside of class, I say the bare minimum when ordering food or coffee. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and talk with the barista or server. If I go out with friends, I can have a small interaction with another person who’s there, just to practice. It’s never as scary as I make it out to be in my head. Finally, I’d also like to work on not relying on my comfort zone. This can be taken in many ways. For one, as much as I love spending time with the girls from back home who are in Spain, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know new people. I also want to explore new areas of Madrid. Being a big city, I’ve only made it to a few of the neighborhoods. There are so many that have attractions, cafes, and little events.
A fourth translation (yes, there are many) is “el centro.” As you might guess, this has the connotation of “center.” I like to consider Madrid a center of cultural diversity, but I love the Spanish culture, even though some aspects surprised me. For example, I knew dinner was usually late, but even when I ate at 8 pm, my roommates thought it was early! It’s also very common to smoke or vape, which is one cultural trend I’m not trying to adhere to! Another surprising aspect is the laidbackness. (I’m honestly not sure if that’s a word, but I’ll explain.) For example, they walk very casually, which I try to do, but the American in me wants to walk fast to get there as quickly as possible. They also don’t take things as seriously. I feel like people in the States get offended fairly quickly, but people are very chill here. They aren’t bothered by what others are doing. I love that they aren’t laidback with their attire, though. The nice dress is a good change of pace from the everyday sweatpants and t-shirts usually worn in the US. I’ve been dressing similarly to the locals here, and when I speak in Spanish, I feel very much a part of the culture, which is a great feeling.
The fifth (and final translation I will use) is “el tiempo.” I think it looks like “time,” and it’s closely related. Although usually referred to as halftime of a sports game, I will use this translation as an excuse to talk about the travel I’ve been able to do. I have taken several day trips to various locations in Spain, including Segovia, Toledo, and Salamanca. Of those three, my favorite was Segovia. I loved the Alcazar, the Cathedral of Segovia, and the Aquaducts; they were all so beautiful! I also went to Portugal for a weekend, spending a day in Lisbon and Sintra. These cities were both fantastic, also. It wasn’t easy to walk through Lisbon, which has all the hills, but the views were worth it. A local led our tour of Sintra, and his knowledge was very evident. We enjoyed it a lot. The most recent trip was a weekend in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The weather was absolutely perfect for the beach time we were hoping for, and we would’ve loved to stay longer. (We had exams to study for, though.) This upcoming week is spring break. My parents, aunt, and uncle are visiting for a week, and we will spend time in Madrid, Granada, and Barcelona. The final part of the weekend will be in Dublin and London. Other upcoming trips include Amsterdam and Prague, and hopefully Italy and Paris!
I’m feeling incredibly blessed with all these opportunities to be immersed in the culture of various places. God is so good!
Beach near our hostel, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Salamanca, Spain
Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal
Tower of Belen, Lisbon, Portugal
Roman Aqueducts, Segovia, Spain
View of Toledo, Spain
Musings on the Mid-Point
Hi,
I hope that you’re all doing well. Ireland has been great. It’s hard to believe, but I am over halfway through my experience of studying abroad. The first half of this trip has had its ups and downs, but overall, I have had an excellent experience. I have grown accustomed to the different culture and ways of doing things in Ireland. For this blog, I’ll highlight some of the successes of the first half of my trip and discuss my hopes and ways to improve for the future.
The first thing I’d like to highlight is the time difference. No, not the six-hour time difference between here and home, but how time moves in Ireland. It’s unbelievable how fast time flies here. Simultaneously, time feels much slower, too. Time is distorted– when I see I’ve been here for eleven weeks, I think, “That’s it?” It feels like I’ve been here for much longer. I believe that my daily morning routine has contributed to this time warp, creating a “rhythm” for my life. Here’s how my routine goes:
- I wake up at 7:30am (even on weekends).
- I eat breakfast (the same thing every day). 100 grams of smoked salmon, 200 grams of Greek yogurt, and 75 grams of granola.
- I shower.
- I read my morning prayer and Bible reading. I’ve been making my way through a 52-week Bible reading plan.
- I drink a coffee and write approximately 1,000 words for the novel I’m working on.
- On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I go to the gym and lift weights. I’m currently running a push-legs-pull split.
- I eat lunch. Usually, I’ve pre-cooked some sort of meal prep. I’ve been eating a lot of beef, rice, and vegetables.
This is the point where each day becomes different. I have classes at varying times, Monday through Thursday, and no day is the same for lecture times. Each day I do at least one chore, usually meal prep, cleaning, laundry, or something similar. I’ve gotten involved in a Christian society on campus, which has led to opportunities to meet fellow Christians and make friends. I’ve also helped lead a Bible study, attend meetings, and evangelize to people. Getting involved with the Christian society on campus has easily been the overarching highlight of my experience.
Here are some of the things that I feel successful with so far (notice how much of it is directly related to my morning routine):
- Eating. I’ve been eating very well here. I love the freedom to make my own food and accurately measure the portions. This helps a lot with tracking my macros and ensuring I hit my daily goals. I’ve been eating (on average) around 260 grams of protein per day. Unsolicited health tip: eat more protein, and you’ll feel amazing!
- Bible reading and prayer. I have been incredibly consistent with reading my Bible daily, praying in the morning and at night, writing out prayers, and saying prayers throughout my day. I also read Time of Grace’s daily Spanish email devotion to grow in my faith and Spanish skills.
- Writing. I felt I lacked a creative outlet for the past two to three years. Coming to Ireland has shown me that I just needed to write. Since arriving, I’ve kept a daily journal and written weekly reflections. Each day, I jot down what happened, any thoughts I have, and a prayer. Then, every Sunday night, I write a reflection on the previous week, using the daily journal to assist my process. I’ve found this a very beneficial exercise and hope to continue doing it when I return home. I also didn’t expect to start writing fiction for fun, but I have. I wrote a 20,000-word novella, and now I’m working on a novel.
- Reading. I have done much more reading than I thought I could. As of today, March 17th, I’ve read twenty-seven books. This means I’ve absolutely smashed my humble eight-book goal from the start of the semester. My new goal is to have read at least thirty-five books by the time I get home in May.
- Weightlifting. I’ve been perfectly consistent with going to the gym three days a week, MWF. I’ve been integrating more drop sets and training to absolute failure into my workouts. I’m finally getting progressive overload figured out for myself. I’m delighted with my progress on my bench press and back squat, but I’m a bit disappointed with my Romanian deadlifts (these are my three core lifts). Additionally, all of the walking I do in Galway helps me to get my cardio in, so I don’t need to spend time on it in the gym!
- Academics. While I have been slightly disappointed with the Irish academic system, I still have learned some things. I have really enjoyed the readings for my classes, especially “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” “The Canterbury Tales,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Man of Feeling.” I am also really enjoying my final project for my art history class– I’m writing a 3,000-word paper and delivering a twenty-five-minute presentation on the polyvalent symbolism of statues of David from the Italian Renaissance.
- Social Life. Before I came to Ireland, I made the goal of making at least two friends from countries outside of the US. It’s safe to say that I’ve smashed that goal. I’ve made friends with people from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Portugal, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Germany, Canada, and many more. Additionally, I started dating a girl named Anna from Turin, Italy. She’s very tranquil and compassionate, with a face that never stops smiling. I also think she’s really cool because she can speak five languages: English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish.
- Travel. Before I left for Ireland, I set a goal of traveling to at least four European countries. I’ve decided to visit three different countries instead. I have decided to alter this goal slightly for two reasons. 1) I didn’t consider traveling within Ireland. I’ve enjoyed many day trips to the Aran Islands, Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, and the Cliffs of Moher. Surprisingly, Limerick was probably my favorite trip. 2) Traveling outside of Ireland is a lot of work, and those trips are exhausting. I’ll be visiting London over Easter– all of the MLC study abroad students are meeting up to celebrate Easter at the WELS mission church there. After that, I’ll visit Madrid, Spain, the weekend after, and Rome, Italy, the next. I’m excited to be able to break out my Spanish in Spain and have Anna translate for me when we visit Rome together!
If you read my first blog, you would also be familiar with the expectations that I set for myself. I’d like to highlight just a couple of them:
- I will become more self-aware and strengthen my ability to self-reflect.
- As I mentioned, I have been doing loads of self-reflection through my journaling and writing practices. I’ve also spent much time pondering and thinking about who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. I can confidently say that I’ve grown in my ability to self-reflect.
- I will learn more about the history and culture of Ireland, potentially altering my worldview and the way I think.
- I have learned loads about Irish history and culture. When it comes to history, I didn’t realize how much of a bloody history this island has. Specifically, I’ve learned a lot about Oliver Cromwell’s religiously motivated genocide of Ireland and how that still has lasting effects to this day. When it comes to Irish culture, I was surprised by how many similarities there are to my Midwestern culture. 1) Everyone talks about who they’re related to, and it seems everyone is related somehow. It can feel a lot like the WELS at times! 2) The standard of cleanliness and orderliness is lower than that of my home. While I miss people caring about the small details, I’ve been able to live and let live. 3) The Irish accent is hard to discern if I’m not actively listening. More often than not, I have to have Irish natives repeat themselves because their accents are so thick. The good news is that I’m starting to pick up on the different accents from within Ireland– I can tell the difference between someone from Dublin, Belfast, and Galway.
- I will be ready to witness my Christian faith to those I develop relationships within Ireland.
- It’s unbelievable how many opportunities I’ve had to witness and evangelize in Ireland. I’ve witnessed to a wide variety of people from various backgrounds. I’ve listened to people trash my faith, and I’ve listened to people praise Jesus. I’ve explained theological concepts to others who didn’t understand them, led Bible studies, and written devotions. I genuinely love to share God’s grace with others; there’s nothing else I’d rather do in life.
Despite all the great experiences that I’ve had, I think it’s also important to reflect on how I can do even better for the last part of my study abroad experience:
- Writing.
- While my morning routine has been great for me to write consistently every day, I rarely write outside the allotted time I give myself each morning. In the coming weeks, I’m striving to take more time to write at all times of the day because I want to complete my novel manuscript by the time I arrive back in the US. However, based on my predictions, writing only 1,000 words daily isn’t enough. If anything, I will need to write close to 2,000 words per day to reach my final goal. I’ve been experiencing a strange phenomenon where I struggle to start writing, even though I know I enjoy it– it feels like there’s some sort of “resistance” within me towards writing. I’m hoping to conquer it.
- Gratitude.
- In my daily journal, I write at least three things I’m thankful for each day, but I don’t think it’s enough. I don’t know precisely why it’s happening, but I am growing frustrated with little things in my life. I know it’s unfair to expect it from others, but people around me aren’t living up to my “standard of excellence.” I get bothered by all of the litter that I see around Galway. I get bothered by the sidewalks because someone cut corners and didn’t take time to level out the ground underneath the sidewalk, causing large, impassable pools of water to form when it rains. I still get bothered by my roommates not cleaning up after themselves. Many little things bother me, and I must confess that they cause me to lose sight of all the good in my life. Does anyone have any advice on improving my gratitude for the blessings in my life?
- Living in the moment.
- As I get closer to the end of my study abroad experience, I find myself looking forward to the future too much and not appreciating the moment. At the trip’s start, I spent more time than I should’ve thinking about the past and what I missed about home. Now, as I get closer to traveling in Europe and going home, I’m not living in the moment of my day-to-day life in Ireland. I’m trying to be more mindful of living in the moment and enjoying each day.
I apologize for this being a bit longer of a blog. I’m beginning to understand why I’ve developed a reputation for being “very thorough.” Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this blog. Don’t be afraid to send me a text or say hi! Please continue to pray for me.
Sláinte (“Cheers” in Irish),
David
Photos Explained:
- View from a walk around Blarney Castle.
- A 5,000 year old burial site.
- View from the Cliffs of Moher. This cliff was used to film “The Cliffs of Insanity” from the film, “The Princess Bride.”
- Anna and I on top of the Round Tower in Kilkenny.
“Fiftieth Night” in the UK
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
The quote above is a well-known phrase that is used in many films and TV shows today. The phrase is typically associated with someone giving an inspirational speech to a group of people. This quote comes from the Bard himself, William Shakespeare, who wrote it in his play Twelfth Night. Shakespeare is one of the most quoted English writers of all time. He wrote 38 plays and invented around 1,700 words that are still used today in the English language. As an English education major at MLC, I am fascinated by all things literature related 🙂
I have now been in London for almost two whole months. During these two months, I have had opportunities to learn and grow in a number of ways… whether it be with the friends I am around, the traveling experiences I take, or the academics I am studying.
While in London, I am studying at the University of Roehampton. I am lucky to be taking only three modules (British term for courses) while here. I only have class three days a week (Tuesday-Thursday). This leaves my timetable (British term for schedule) more open than it usually is at MLC. Here is a brief rundown of the modules I am taking…
Perspectives on Children’s Literature (Tuesdays from 2-5)
This class focuses on adolescent literature. We read and discuss novels such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Giver, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Hunger Games. The class size is only about thirteen people; however, most of the time, four or five people skip every week. Attendance isn’t required here; only completing assessments is required. About half of the class is filled with British students while the other half is comprised of study abroad students.
Shakespeare in London (Wednesdays from 11-2)
Based on the name, this class focuses on Shakespeare. Throughout the semester, we read some of Shakespeare’s tragedies, such as Hamlet and Macbeth… and then we also get the opportunity to watch the plays in person. We discuss the differences between performance styles and how the plays are read versus how they are performed. This class is filled with only study abroad students, and about eleven of us are in the class.
Language Acquisition (Thursdays from 1-4)
This class focuses on learning how babies and children develop their native language. It is fascinating to discover the psychology and linguistics behind language learning. This is my smallest class, with only six of us in the class. I am the only study abroad student in this class. My other classmates are all linguistic majors, so I sometimes have to work harder to catch-up and understand the content.
I have gotten used to having three-hour classes now. All my professors give us a thirty-minute break in the middle of the class. This is a nice time to stretch, eat a snack, or get a coffee! One challenging aspect of classes here compared to MLC is the assessment differences. At MLC, I would have homework assignments every day. Here, I only have two assessments per class for the entire semester. That means my assessments are worth around 40-60% of my entire grade. Having a paper worth that much of my final grade sometimes seems daunting. Participation and class discussions are encouraged, but don’t count as anything towards my grade. Also, I can see a lack of motivation in other students around me. Most other students skip classes, don’t do the readings, and barely participate in discussions. It is difficult for me to see this since I am someone who loves to learn and loves school.
Having class only three days a week leaves me with a four-day weekend every week! This has been awesome! I use my four-day weekend to travel and explore the surrounding area. London is a huge city… I haven’t even had the opportunity yet to see all its amazing areas.
Some days, I decide to go into the city by myself and explore. I usually end up walking in parks and going to some free museums. I have learned how reflective it can be to spend time alone, which helps increase my intrapersonal skills. I also travel often with friends I have made here. We will plan trips into London, day trips to nearby cities in England, or trips to other countries. Just this past week, I had a week off of school and decided to go on a trip to visit both Scotland and Denmark!
I spend more of my time here exploring the UK than I do on my actual academics. However, I have found that traveling and exploring unfamiliar places is a learning experience in and of itself. I am constantly outside my comfort zone and putting myself in new situations. I have to learn to navigate where I am going in the city, socialize with people from different cultures, and gain an understanding of the country that I am living in. Every time I step outside my door I face a new learning experience.
Some people believe that learning consists only of reading textbooks and listening to lectures. I believe that learning is something that can happen anywhere; it is all about the motivation and the mindset that the learner has. I am trying to keep a positive and open mindset while studying abroad. I want to gain the most I can during my time here. I am excited so far about everything I have learned and have been through. I cannot wait to see what these next couple of months will have to offer!
Highlights since my last post:
- Day trips to Stonehenge and Bath
- Traveled to Scotland and Edinburgh
- Saw the Shakespeare plays King Lear and Macbeth
- Watching the flowers and trees begin to bud outside
Views from the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Nyhavn Canal in Copenhagen, Denmark
The Pulteney Bridge in Bath, England
My friend Sophia and I in Denmark
Till we meet again,
Alison Foxen
La Universidad
Universidad, as you might guess, translates to university. Sounds fancy, right? A few times, I’ve made the mistake of calling it “college.” I didn’t realize that “el colegio,” which looks like college, doesn’t have the same significance that it does in the States. In general, “colegio” refers to any schooling. “Universidad” means a third-level education that comes after high school and is geared towards a specific degree.
I go to Universidad de Antonio de Nebrija in Madrid. I’m taking four classes in Spanish. The first one is “lengua espanola,” which literally means Spanish language. (No, they don’t capitalize it.) This is my only class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We tend to focus on grammatical topics that aren’t necessarily verb tenses, concepts like “ser vs estar” and “por vs para.” In another class, specific grammar problems, so far, we’ve been focusing on verb tenses. After a quick review of the imperative (commands), we’ve spent a lot of time forming the past tense. It doesn’t seem like it would be difficult, but when there are four different tenses to speak about the past, sometimes it can be a bit confusing. This is my first class on Mondays and Wednesdays. Right after, I have “panorama de la literatura espanola.” Most of these words are cognates: panorama of Spanish literature. I expected this class to be the most difficult for me. I expected to have to read entire novels and interpret complex poems. So far, this is one of my favorite classes. Our teacher does a fantastic job of explaining the historical context of a few literature works. Then we read a part, and she explains the rest of it. My last class is “Arte en el Museo Prado”. We focus on three specific artists and learn about the eras in which they painted. We get to talk about and critique art and even go to the Prado Museum three times.
Each week, we have three hours of each class, which is equal to 12 credits in the US. This is the least amount of college classes/credits I’ve taken. I have so much free time that I sometimes don’t know what to do. I have time to journal and watch Netflix! My latest class goes until 1:30, while some students don’t finish their school days until 7:30 at night. I have the entire afternoon and evening to do homework and explore the city. Not only am I taking fewer classes, but the homework load is a lot lighter. Some classes, like lengua espanola and grammar problems, assign homework every class period. Luckily, this homework takes maybe half an hour, depending on the topic and number of activities.
After classes, finding things to do that feel productive but require spending money can be challenging. Occasionally, we go to a cafe to have a different atmosphere while we journal or do homework. On other days, if the weather is nice, we walk around to nearby “barrios” or neighborhoods. Sometimes we walk to the shopping street and browse stores (and buy clothes). The best part about the schedule is that we only have classes four days a week, and on Thursdays, we end at 10:30. Because of this, we can make travel plans, even to visit other countries. Recently, we went to Portugal for the weekend and could take the cheaper bus option because of the time we had on Thursday. I’m planning a few more weekend trips in the future, too.
So far, I’m loving so much about Madrid, and I’m excited to be here another three months!
