Settling in to Somewhat of a Routine

As I sit here in Café de Indias, a Spanish chain not too unlike Starbucks, a few blocks from the apartment building where I am staying, I feel surprisingly comfortable here in Sevilla. Around me I hear a combination of Spanish and English; this café is a hotspot for students like me who want to study here in Triana. This part of town is pretty bustling, especially on this main street and is not very different from any big city street in New York or anywhere else. I just talked to two students from a program at the other university who are from Minnesota and California. It’s nice to always be able to meet new people, even when you don’t expect to.

The past week has been busy which is why I am only just getting around to writing a new post. Last Thursday I explored the city more, ate churros con chocolate with friends and had a fun, relaxing time. It’s really beautiful by the river at night and there’s the Torre del Oro (I’m not really sure what its historical significance is, but the translation is Tower of Gold) and there’s also a monument that is really cool looking. At night there are usually a lot of students by the river hanging out and usually a few stray cats. On Friday I registered for classes, I have great classes, 4 classes and 1 seminar called Living and Learning in Seville and in the end I will get a Certificate of Achievement on International Education.

The weekend was fun and relaxing, it was our first weekend here so we made the most of it. I went to a club over the weekend which was packed with Spanish university students and I talked with some of them and was able to practice my Spanish a little. I also met two British students and our conversation went like this: Me: “Have you seen 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall?' ” British guy: “Yes” Me: (In my best British accent) “You sound like you’re from London!” He laughed and his friend said “Don’t tell me you’re from London too!” HAHAHA I took that as a complement. I always pride myself on my British accent and my Spanish in a British accent!

I met a lot of new people this past week and became closer with friends from my program. It was great. In Sevilla there are many American students, European students with the European Erasmus program and some Moroccan students. Two different cab drivers have complemented me on my Spanish abilities and ensured my that by the time I go back home I will be much better. HAHA

Sunday night I went to see an outdoor movie with my Señora, part of a summer film series which is sponsored by the local government. It was a French film called “Sarah’s Key” which was in French with Spanish subtitles. It was a very powerful film about France during World War 2 and it switched between present day and the 1940s and the years after the war. I cried a lot. A friend in my program told me that she read the book and cried the whole way through it.

On Monday I had to wake up really early to beat the rush to sign up for Interest Groups. I decided on the one called: “Spain’s four regions” which takes a 3-day trip to Barcelona in November which is included in the program fees. I am very excited! Monday we also started our intensive session (2 week, 3 hours/day Mon-Fri) Spanish grammar classes. I got an A on our first assignment, an in-class essay about an experience that changed/impacted our life. I wrote it on being in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker and then acting and singing in elementary school, all of which made me realize my love of performing and which ultimately lead me to my amazing chorus trip in Brazil in May!

Yesterday night we had a walking tour of our neighborhoods to find out where libraries, supermarkets, coffee shops, gyms, etc are located. Our guide was a masters' student at the University of Seville who is from Córdoba and is fluent in Spanish and English. He's a very nice guy and is offering cooking classes starting in a few weeks. I am definitely going to go with my friends to learn how to cook and also get to know more Spanish students and become more comfortable with the lifestyle and culture here in Sevilla.

Tomorrow I have my midterm exam for my intensive class. I don’t think it will be too difficult; it is only a few short answer essays to demonstrate our knowledge of the various past tenses, the imperative form and direct and indirect object pronouns. This weekend I might go to the beach with some friends. The beach is 1 hour away and it should be fun! I might also go paddle boating in the river! The weather is still great here, about 90 degrees every day!! I hope you all are doing well!

Ciao for now xoxo,

Jennie