For the first five days of the semester, we were living in a hotel in Madrid. All of our activities were group-oriented, so it was really easy to get to know some of the other people on my trip. Now that we are in Granada, we are all in separate apartments (either a host family, dorm-type residence, or a traditional apartment) throughout the city, so I haven’t seen as many people from my program. Granada is small enough that I’ve run into people in the main plazas or at night at tapas bars, but we are definitely more independent now that we are settled. I’m really enjoying having more time to myself, though. I am living with another student from my program in a home stay, and our host mom is divorced and works from home as a lawyer, so we see her often at home. Since it’s only the three of us, our house is very calm and comfortable. Some of my classmates are living in homes with young children or large extended families, and I’m happy that our apartment is more relaxed. My roommate and I share a bathroom, but have our own bedrooms, and it is so nice to have my own space. It makes Skyping with my family easier, and I enjoy having some time alone, while also having a friend right down the hall. Granada is any incredibly walkable city, and I’ve really enjoyed walking around by myself and just taking in the sites. Usually in the afternoons or evenings I will get a snack—chocolate con churros or café con leche—with my roommate and our other friends from the program. I’m looking forward to starting classes and meeting the other students at the Centro de Lenguas Modernos because the school hosts students from all over the world. It is a part of the Univerisdad de Granada, but it only caters to international students/students who are learning Spanish as a second language. While I won’t be able to meet local students in my classes, I’m excited to meet students from countries other than the United States.
