Tag: Summer 2016

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Learning through teaching – Lucy C-H

A lot has changed since my first week in Villanueva. I have moved out of the transition phase and grown more and more accustomed to life here with my family and at the Academia, creating a routine and familiarizing myself with the people of the town.

Even though the transition phase is over and we are beginning our third week of intensive classes, I find that teaching the courses here is constantly engaging. Each week I teach several classes, at least one of each level, whether it be B1, B2, C1, or our adorable young learners. This provides me with the opportunity to design and execute lesson plans for a variety of students with different levels and strengths. It is fascinating to see how individuals interact in class with the material. I am learning how to facilitate learning, something that is very specific for each person and also very particular for Spanish speakers learning English! It forces me to think quickly in both languages and consider the contrasting communication styles of each.

It is also important to mention that the students at the Academia are wonderful. Truthfully, I greatly admire their dedication to their English studies, especially during the summer. For some it is obligatory for a job or for school, but for some it is purely for their own satisfaction. However, no matter the reason, every student arrives to class with a positive attitude and a real desire to improve. Because of this, teaching at the Academia is a pleasure.

I am already starting to feel sad at the thought of saying goodbye to my students in a few weeks. I could not have realized how special it would be to be able to discuss all sorts of themes with them and get to know their personalities in such a unique way. Through each week’s topics, such as travel or media, politics or fashion, I have been able to see the world through their eyes a little which is truly enriching as we come from such different backgrounds. I will certainly remember the things I have learned from my students long past my short stay in Villanueva because they have allowed me a greater understanding of Spain and its culture.

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Travels in Spain – Meike

A whole month has now past since I arrived in Villanueva. By now we have started teaching our classes, met many more students at the academia and explored more parts of the town. Over the past couple of weekends I also traveled to Toledo, Córdoba and Madrid.

I really enjoy traveling around Spain because every part of the country is vastly different. I saw a lot of Spain while studying abroad in Córdoba and I love returning to cities I’ve already visited because there is always more to see. Two weeks ago the Academia crew traveled to Toledo (it was my second time there) for a Guinness world record competition for the largest plate of ham. I was particularly excited to see what a competition like this would be like.

We arrived early in the morning and watched some of the ham cutters clean and prepare their hams. Ham cutting is definitely an art and does not look easy to do. There was a stage set up in the square right in front of the famous cathedral that would soon become the worlds largest plate of ham and once the competition started every single plate of ham that was cut was weighed and then placed on the stage. The competition lasted for about two hours. During that time we explored some of Toledo; we visited a metal sword and jewelry workshop (very common in Toledo), an underground pottery store and enjoyed the beautiful medieval views, which reminded me a lot of Granada in Andalusia. At the competition the record for largest plate was broken! We even got to try some of the ham, even though it was not of the best quality since it had been baking in the sun for two hours. It was still a really fun experience!

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My first week in Villanueva – Shana

When I arrived in Villanueva two and a half weeks ago, I didn’t speak any Spanish. I could barely understand anyone, let alone carry on a conversation. Although I was so excited to be in Spain and in this amazing and quaint town, it was incredibly frustrating to not be able to communicate with most people. Having never been outside of the United States before nor in a situation where I couldn’t communicate freely, I was initially conflicted between feeling so lucky to be here yet immensely isolated as a non-Spanish speaker.

This past week, things got easier. I started my classes and met Spanish students who are striving to learn a new language, too. I am constantly meeting new people from the town who are incredibly understanding and kind with me, despite the language barrier. And of course, thanks to my host family especially, I have felt so welcome here. I am so grateful to Rafi, Tere, and Juanra for being so wonderful to me; they have gone out of their way to make me comfortable here, have put up with my endless “más despacio, por favor” and “no entiendo” annoyances, and have done so much to familiarize me with Andalucía’s unique culture. I could not have asked for a better place to live.

Despite the ups and downs, I am having the best time here. From teaching cool and enthusiastic English students at the academia, to attending a ham-cutting spectacle in Toledo, to going to my first Botellón last weekend, this has been an incredibly rewarding experience thus far. I can’t believe I have been here for almost three weeks; I have already improved so much in my Spanish (I can actually have a conversation now!). Looking forward, I am so excited for what’s to come this month with the academia and also to continue to improve in Spanish. Although these past weeks have been very trying for me, I can appreciate the hard work, struggle, and yet unequivocal growth that got me to where I am right now!

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Field trip to Córdoba – Lucy

Last weekend Meike and I visited Córdoba, the city in which she studied abroad for a year! Meike being one of my closest friends, I was excited to finally see the place she had spent so much time in and enjoyed so thoroughly.

Just a short 20 minute train ride from Villanueva, Córdoba is very different. Instead of short, white houses lining the streets, there are tall shops and chains like Llaollao and Bershka. Despite the immediate visual differences, there is a certain sense of similarity in the beautiful rustic architecture and the abundance of vibrant flowers hanging over balconies and growing freely among the paths. Although I do not like to make generalizations, I feel I can say that the South of Spain shares a wealth of natural beauty, manifesting particularly in the scorching sun and clear blue sky.

I loved my visit to Córdoba. After going to Meike’s favorite cafe, Omundo de Alicia, we went to the famous Mezquita. I had wanted to see it since my time abroad a year ago and I was not disappointed. Although it reminded me of a painful period in history, it was fascinating to see both the marriage and contrast between the Catholic artwork and the Islamic structure. The mosque is a living representation of many questions we ask today regarding religions and their intersections, as well as their impact on our lives.

Besides the mosque, I also experienced a little bit of the “hipster” culture of Córdoba at La Bicicleta, a small restaurant with phenomenal hummus and fresh fruits. All in all, it was gratifying to see the city through Meike’s eyes and get further insight into her recent life, while simultaneously deepening my understanding of this province of Spain.

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Week one in Villanueva – Meike

It has now been over a week since Lucy and I moved to Villanueva. Having studied in Córdoba this past year, I thought living in Villanueva would be a similar experience, however I’ve already noticed that living in a small town is very different! The white washed houses make all of the streets look similar, making it possible to still get lost in this small town. When I arrived I immediately noticed that people were greeting each other everywhere we went; the whole town seems to know one another, which is so different from my suburban town in the states where I don’t even know some of my neighbors.

In the short amount of time that we have been here, we’ve already learned a lot about the town, mostly from the students at the academia. We arrived in Villanueva in time to partake in “La Ruta de la Tapa,” an annual food festival for which many restaurants in town prepare a special tapa and anyone who tries ten tapas gets to enter a raffle. Unfortunately I only tried 8 tapas, but they were all delicious and made me excited to explore more restaurants in the town. Besides eating, Lucy and I have also visited the library, the gym and the church de San Miguel.

Villanueva also celebrates many unique traditions. Despite its size there are so many! Some examples are Las Romerías, La Feria chica, la Feria grande and La Feria de la Matanza. During my time in Spain I have found that most cities and pueblos celebrate their own versions of these traditions. It is something that I really admire and appreciate about Spanish culture because it creates strong community and reflects the pride that people feel for the hometowns. I am very excited to be living in Villanueva this summer and experiencing a new Spanish lifestyle!