May 15, 2019 - Jasmine Pierce

For the past week and a half I have seen things I could never see in America. The culture and environment in Spain is very different from back home. For example, I went to a bull fight without any knowledge of what this activity consists of. Although I wasn’t amused from the entertainment it was something I needed to experience. Each city I have visited in Spain has always left me eager for more to explore. In Madrid, I saw a painting by Picasso. While learning art history in high school I’ve always seen his work in textbooks but to actually witness his art was mind blowing and to see so many paintings drawn by him was the highlight of my day. In Toledo, our tour guide named Mario, said we were fall in love with the view the city. Me being from Chicago I had already fell in love with its view, however, the moment we got off the bus to overlook the city I immediately wanted to stay in Toledo forever. 
Me, overlooking Toledo.

Our group at Toledo.

During  the walking tour, in Toledo,  we visited the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes where I learned about the five kingdoms of Spain. Looking at the monastery there are shackles surrounding it. The meaning behind the shackles interested me because it symbolized being the Christian slaves finally becoming  free from the Moors rule from 711 to 1492. In Valencia, where I mostly spend my days, I feel like it has become a home away from home. I have an amazing host family that always makes me feel part of the family. Although there is a language barrier we come up with different ways to communicate and even though I have been here for less than two weeks I feel more confident when using Spanish and becoming vulnerable with people that have a different culture than me.
Our group at the Torres de Serrano in Valencia.

Another thing I am enjoying on this study abroad trip is growing relationships with other people outside my major. Being in college, I feel I have only excluded myself to people in Professional Flight but being in this program I have been given the opportunity to connect with people different from me. This weekend we travel to Barcelona and I am extremely excited to see the art of Antoni Gaudí. Also to be able to practice my Spanish in a different place while emerging myself in the culture. I can’t wait share with my peers or younger sister what experience I have been given and what I have been exposed to in this beautiful city.

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