Well all that worrying over my placement test for nothing! I got into two of the classes I needed and two more 300 level classes that are too advanced for me! I’ve been scrambling around campus the last couple of days trying to get into two other classes that might be a little more my speed. Hopefully by Monday I’ll have my schedule all worked out. Yesterday was the first day of class and my teachers seem pretty awesome thus far. All four of my classes are conducted in Spanish so I’m going to be submerged!

I think my favorite class is going to be Spanish Culture and Civilization. Today we talked about culture shock, customs that are original to Spain, and why certain things here are the way they are. I think this class is really going to help me better understand the people around me. The professor said something that rang very true today. “To really learn a culture, you must live it.” While some of you might be saying, “Well duh, Callie, that’s so obvious”, it made me realize that I am in the perfect set-up to really learn everything there is to learn about this Spanish culture. I have been complaining about not having air conditioning, about living in the poor side of town, and about the food being strange, but this is the way the majority of Spaniards live. When he said that today it made me realize that as hard as things may be right now, I am getting an authentic Spanish experience I didn’t get when I lived in the air-conditioned dorms of Barcelona with 80 other Americans. I am living the culture. I am in a place where so many people would kill to be and I’m complaining about being hot and hungry???? Hold up. Attitude adjustment!! I am so thankful that those simple words of wisdom came so early in my trip. I cannot wait to get to know this city inside and out and the passionate, energetic, fun-loving people who make it tick!