My most interesting class here in Granada is my class on Spain’s transition from fascism to democracy. In my educational experiences thus far, I’ve only received a vague nod (if that) to the dictatorship that ruled Spain for 35 years. It’s been incredibly interesting for me to learn not only about the gruesome civil war that left Spain scarred, but also about the conservatism and austerity that proceeded it and plagued the country from 1939 to 1975. It’s almost laughable that I arrived in Spain—and enrolled in a class titled “The Transition: From Franco’s Dictatorship to Modern Spain”—without being aware of Francisco Franco’s fascist rule. That ignorance, however, has allowed me to look at Spain’s history with fresh eyes, and learning from Spaniards about their own history has made the class much more interesting. Even today, Spain is a country divided between supporters and opposers of Franco’s rule, and (as my professor suggested) I have had many interesting conversations with older Spaniards about their personal history with and opinions of the dictatorship. While most of my historical education has only provided information in juxtaposition with the history of the United States, it has been thrilling to learn about a country’s culture and past from their own perspective, and this is an experience I am lucky to have as a study abroad student.
While I don’t usually have much homework, when the time comes to get things done, I usually complete my work in the living room here in my host mom’s apartment. Per Spanish tradition (which I’ve now learned has a direct correlation to Franco’s rule), living room tables have space heaters underneath them and a think blanket over top to trap the heat. We eat our meals at this table, and to combat the cold (most Spanish homes lack central heat), we wrap our legs in the blanket and warm up our feet by the brasero. This toasty spot makes for a perfect place to study. On the afternoons that I need to stretch my legs, I go to cafes or to plazas to read my book or gather with my friends to hang out, do work, or plan weekend trips.
