¡Hola desde España! Quisiera que estuvieras aquí.

That’s how locals might say “greetings from Spain; wish you were here!,” and after a week spent traveling all over this amazing country, visiting so many different towns and cities and connecting with so many incredible people, we definitely started to feel like locals ourselves! We still can’t believe how much we strengthened our language skills and broadened our cultural perspectives while on this trip!

If you want to fast-track your assimilation to authentic Spanish culture, we highly recommend taking part in one of the country’s most traditional—and exciting—experiences: attending a La Liga match! The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División, or La Liga for short, is the top men’s professional football division of the Spanish football league system. Back home, you’d call it soccer, but in Spain, the sport is a cultural phenomenon, and we were there to witness Barcelona FC’s thrilling victory over rivals Atlético de Madrid! 

After the noise and bustle of the sports arena, we slowed things down by visiting our sister school, St. Paul’s, located in Barcelona. We were able to attend classes with the local students and share stories and observations, all while experiencing how an educational system in another part of the world might work. For instance, during lunch, we learned that it is a tradition for students to have assigned seating in the cafeteria!

We wrapped up our day by participating in a super-fun scavenger hunt through the streets of Barcelona, which helped us learn a great deal about the city. Our quest took us to iconic landmarks such as La Catedral, Las Ramblas, and La Boqueria market. Stopping by Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, an unfinished Catholic church which is Spain’s most visited monument, gave us a unique view into Catalan culture.

Plenty of history and culture awaited us in Madrid, with a guided tour of the Reina Sofia Museum, which is dedicated to 20th-century Spanish art. We learned about the powerful link between art and history, most specifically how the Spanish Civil War influenced artistic representations of the era, including Picasso's masterpiece, Guernica. 

From the cultural significance of architecture, entertainment, and museums, we downshifted for some tiempo familiar, also known as “family time.” We attended classes at another Spanish school, Jesus Maria School in Madrid, and spent three days with our host families traveling to different locations, such as Salamanca, Valencia, Malaga, Sevilla, and Huelva. Living with our host families really helped us become fully immersed within the daily routines of Spanish households: we went on family outings, attended religious services during holy week, and witnessed traditional holiday celebrations!

Before we left for this trip, the concepts of developing global competencies, building international connections, strengthening language proficiency, and expanding cultural citizenship were just that: abstract concepts. Without a doubt, our immersive adventure has broadened our perspectives and helped us become better citizens of the world. Muchas gracias, España, for sharing your vibrant culture with us and teaching us to embrace the beauty of diversity! 

Click here to read more about Pennington’s Global Studies program, which aims to support and enhance informed, active, and ethical participation in global ideas, issues, and communities, both at home and abroad. For more information about the Global Studies Certificate program, contact Global Studies Certificate Program Director Kendra Sisserson for more information.