Amanda Malvik: Blog Post #2

 Dealing with Culture Shock 

Before I arrived in Sevilla, I didn’t think much about the idea of “culture shock.” My friends who had studied abroad in the past had been giving me advice on how to cope but it wasn’t my top concern when I caught the plane to Seville. There’s so many differences between Spain and the United States, but honestly I find that quite beautiful. I’m truly going through a character development class on top of my normal academic classes. Abroad isn’t just about academics. Yes, you will have classes that you attend, but a lot of the learning also comes from the streets of your new home city. I’ve learned the most from walking around my home city, practicing their native language, and navigating a city so different from any I’ve been in before.  

If you’re reading my blog, you probably are interested in studying abroad in Spain. Some of the culture differences that I’ve experienced in my first two weeks here have definitely thrown me for a loop but have taught me so much! This first one is relevant to all of Europe. When buildings have multiple floors, the American “first floor” is their “ground level. Furthermore, the American “second floor,” is Spain’s “first floor.” Another big difference that I’ve encountered, which I had heard of previously, was a time in the day called “siesta.” Siesta counts for the time in the day from two till five PM. Some shops stay open, but most close for lunch and a nap. They do this to recharge and to have time for their biggest meal of the day, Lunch, or “La Comida.” It’s been hard to navigate when I run errands because we are at class in the morning and by the time we get out it’s siesta time so nothing’s really open. I would try to get most of your errands done in the morning or evening because most shops will be closed during “siesta.”  

Furthermore, another big culture shock for me in Spain has been the time of meals and just the overall time table of Spanish people. Breakfast is at an American time, but the food is different. No more pancakes and bacon, but rather toast, olive oil, and maybe some “jamon.” If you come here, you have to try the “jamon,” it’s amazing. Lunch isn’t until two PM. According to my teacher, no one’s even thinking about lunch at America’s time for lunch at noon. So make sure you eat enough for breakfast! Lastly, dinner is not until 8:30/9PM. I think dinner is what I’ve had the most difficulty getting used to. I’m so used to eating dinner around six PM back at home.  

Culture shock is something that can be hard. You catch a plane across the Atlantic and everything changes. Your body may be confused with Jet lag and how everything is so different from the states. However, my advice would be to have an open mind. Rather than saying “this isn’t normal,” I switched my mind to saying, “this isn’t like America.” And you know what, that is so okay. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable, you just completely left everything you’re comfortable with. However, become comfortable with being uncomfortable, stay positive, and be open to new experiences. It’s been so amazing to be shown something so different, and broadening my mind to different ways of doing things. Best of luck with culture shock, you’ll be okay I promise!