This semester has been a great ride. I have grown immensely and come into myself in ways that I did not imagine prior to coming abroad. I have learned a lot about myself and gained a great deal of wisdom from my time here in Spain. During my semester here I have set goals to learn the Spanish language so my course load was light, but language focused. I took Translation I, Spanish Language, Spanish for International Students and a French course for a little variety. In these courses I have gained a greater understanding of how to use Spanish and also how it varies from Spanish spoken in other regions. Here is a picture of my faculty where I attend school.
 |
| At the Universidad de Extremadura in Caceres |
The registration system here is really hectic and
frustrating and even at exam time I was not registered for two courses even
though I had visited my registrar 3 times during the semester. Most classes
here didn’t start on time due to the culture of the country and the loose way
time is viewed here. I had one professor who consistently arrived to an hour-long
class more than 15 minutes late, but this was not a problem for the students.
One of the
things I had to become accustomed to here is the infamous siesta (daily nap
time). I completed a summer program in Spain in 2012 and since Madrid is so
industrial the siesta is not observed there. However, once I arrived here it
took me a couple days to learn that the siesta is observed here and most
businesses are closed from 2pm to 5pm. Coming from the Unites States where hard
work is a pervasive ideology I could not grasp why anyone would not want to
continue working during 3 of the most important hours of the day. But shortly
after becoming accustomed to the siesta I soon began to nap as well with the
rest of the population in my small town.
 |
| Pablo taking in Caceres |
This is a picture of Pablo el dragón on the balcony of my
building where I often go to look at my part of the city and clear my head.
This view is what really sold me on choosing this apartment. I am very pensive
and a view of the city from up high really helps me gain perspective.
 | |
| Pablo looking over Plaza Mayor |
Plaza Mayor is located in the oldest part of the city of
Caceres. It is here where many celebrations take place and people come to spend
time with their friends and families. I can appreciate the glimpse into the
past that these castle-like buildings offer because it is reminiscent of a
slower more quiet time. It is also here in this plaza where many festivals and
shows take place such as the festival of San Jorge where a play is shown and
afterward they burn a large wooden dragon that they’ve constructed for that
purpose.
Melvin Clark and Pablo
Universidad del Extremadura
Caceres, Spain
