The biggest, fattest “¿¿hola, qué tal??” from Granada, Spain!

Sam Hickson (right), takes a selfie with other students while abroad in Granada, Spain

I have been in Granada, Spain for my semester abroad for a total of two weeks now. In this short amount of time, we’ve already completed multiple excursions and trips in and around Granada’s center. Everyone that I’ve met so far, both students and professors through the program, have been nothing but incredible. Living life among Spaniards is such a great escape from the American lifestyle that I’ve grown so accustomed to.

But sleeping in on Fridays, siestas in the afternoon, huge lunches and small dinners, and weeknights that don’t end until 1 a.m. sound much cooler on paper than they do in actuality. These are actually some of the toughest things I have had to adjust to. Studying in a new country not only includes adapting to a new language, but also taking the time to learn and practice cultural norms, most of which are nonexistent in the US.

Let me be real with you. Let me throw down some knowledge about myself. I don’t think I’m physically able to take a nap that lasts less than an hour. That whole idea of napping for 15 minutes is foreign to me and I don’t approve of it. If you do, I respect you, but you’re dumb. However, taking advantage of siestas on a daily basis (which roughly lasts between 2:30 to 5 p.m.), can be ‘bad news bears’ to use all of that time for sleeping.

Despite having to reorganize my sleeping and eating habits, I’m positive that this semester will be one I’ll never forget. I’m sure I’ll look back on this time when the semester is over and have nothing but great things to say about the Spain that I had the pleasure of visiting. But until that final day comes, I’m going to take full advantage of everything I can while I’m here 🙂

HASTA LUEGO!!