Martina's post trip reflection

My experience in Spain was a new and exciting one. The trip was so amazing and really helped me to understand and appreciate Spanish culture and broaden my horizons. Spanish culture is similar but also very different to our own in America. Getting used to the different schedule was challenging but I learned to appreciate it and look forward to 2pm so I could eat lunch, talk with my host family, and enjoy siesta, a well cherished aspect of Spanish culture that we all enjoyed. The food was always delicious and incorporated a LOT of jamón which surprised me and also a wide variety of seafood. My appreciation of the Spanish language was greatly expanded as it fully came in to focus that Spanish wasn't just a course taught in school, it was an actual way of communication for these people  and a way of life. I really think that the acclimation aspect and only talking in Spanish the entire time, though daunting, really helped me to be able to understand and expand my knowledge of the Spanish language. I strengthened bonds with girls I already knew but also made a lot of new friends. This experience was absolutely fantastic and if I had to choose if I'd do it again I would say yes in a heartbeat.