Connecting with the Cuban locals
April 8, 2014
In order to make strong and personal connections it is important to feel confident in the language used to communicate – and this is how I felt when I first arrived in Cuba. I was told by just about every one to be weary when speaking to Cubans because all they want is your money. …
The benefits of making connections in Spain
April 4, 2014
‘Making connections’ whilst on the year abroad can be based on various factors such as improving language proficiency, meeting new people or improving your understanding of a new culture. These can be classed as different types of experiences and I feel that during my year abroad I have been able to benefit from all of …
Making strong connections with the culture and people
April 3, 2014
Firstly, I’m going to comment on the friends I have made here during my year abroad and my intention to stay in contact with them following the programme. Before arriving the thing that most scared me was the idea that I would not settle in because I wouldn’t have any friends around me. This now, …
I went in guns blazing and got socialising from the word go
April 2, 2014
Post written by Sophie Gorvett. Having chosen to do three shorter placements over the span of 14 months, one of the most daunting things for me prior to this whole experience was the idea of having to make new friends, not once, not twice but three times during this whole period. It wasn’t that I …
Linguistic, cultural immersion
April 1, 2014
Madrid is a very busy place, every one’s going somewhere. Everyone has direction, aims, a certain focus. It reminds me of London in many ways. That being said, a warmer, sunnier London. I now feel like a madrileño, much more than I felt like a lisboeta in Lisbon. I am connecting with people all the …
Getting used to the Spanish rhythm of life
February 18, 2014
Extremadura was a region about which I knew very little. This was one of the main reasons I chose to come here. Being taught Spanish language and experiencing the country first-hand are obviously very different, but until arriving here I did not realise just how much. Firstly, there is the rhythm of life, especially in …
The challenge to find friends in La Palma
February 6, 2014
A challenge I encountered during my time abroad is the demographics of the island I am living on. The town has a population of 18,000, it is also the capital of the island. Santa Cruz is a nice place to live, don’t get me wrong but there is not a lot on offer when it …
I thought the preconceptions were just stereotypes…I was mistaken
February 5, 2014
Before living in Spain, I presumed that all the preconceptions I had about life here were just stereotypes. I was mistaken. Even though Spain is a county frequented by many Britons, there is a stark cultural difference and most of the typical things associated with Spain are actually quite accurate, especially here in Seville and …
Cubans love their queues!
Having arrived in Cuba last Thursday, a country that is so absurdly different from the UK, culture was one of the aspects I was more worried about adapting to. Although I had studied about Cuba in one of my modules in second year I knew that there is always a huge chasm between what you …
Even the dogs have siestas!
Post written by Faith Locken. When choosing where to go for the first half of my year abroad, I purposefully picked Spain because I wanted somewhere that wouldn’t have so much of a cultural difference from England, especially as my second half would be in China. However as the last six months have proved, there …
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