Bautizo

With less than a week left here in Spain, the "goodbyes" have officially begun. Though I had my going away party last week, that isn't officially a "goodbye" cause I will be seeing my friends again before I leave. On the other hand, I will not see my extended host family again before I leave, which made for a hugfest Sunday afternoon. But first lets backtrack to Saturday.

Saturday my host dad, sister, brother and I headed to Villarcayo (town where my host dad's from) for the Baptism of my host cousin. I usually fun there because there are so many of them, my host dad has 7 sisters, so they have a really big family. All of us gathered together in a tiny church for a private service, conducted by another family member, as music was played by one of the host aunts. After it was time for eating and singing. The casual lunch was in someone's backyard, and it was the perfect day to be outside. The sun shone as we ate delicious jamón and cheese, then paella, then fish, then cake...then I was completely stuffed. The guitar was played all afternoon by my host aunt as everybody sang Spanish and English songs. Honestly, there is not one person from their family who does not have an amazing voice.

Then came Sunday, and having to say goodbye. Of course they all sang as I hugged each and every one of them with tears streaming down my face. I wish I had gotten to spend more time with them this year, and I am so thankful for having gotten to meet all of them.

Rotary and Goodbyes

As a Rotary exchange student, it would seem pretty logical that you might be just a little involved with Rotary, right? Wrong. I have never been to a Rotary meeting in my host town, nor met my counselor or a single other member besides my host dad. Though I know exchange students in Spain who reguarely attend meeting, I also know some who don't. I would say in general, Rotary of Spain is a lot less involved than in the United States. I did however last week go to a Rotary dinner in Burgos, a town an hour a way from my town. Just felt like sharing that, not really any interesting story. I didn't have to give a presentation or anything like that, just a little small talk.

I am so lucky for the friends I have here. They are so amazing and I don't know what I would have done without them. Last week they threw me a suprise going away party. As far as I knew they were getting back late from a school trip to London and would be too tired to go out. but they showed up at my house and with a big, signed flag of Spain (which I then had to wear the rest of the night as a dress). They also gave me a fan and beautiful bracelet that has the Spanish flag on it. We had an amazing night, like we always do, but of course I got a little sad thinking of how I'd been leaving these amazing people, but I am so thankful that I got the chance to meet them and I know it won't be goodbye just "hasta luego"(until later).

14 beats 24

I have been told by numerous people here in Spain that school is "so much easier" in the United States. I never have an argument with them about it, but I would just like to set the record straight Thee U.S ranks around 14th in the World Math/Science/Reading levels while Spain comes in a whopping...26th! Now I am not proud that we are 14th, but it is certainly better than 26th. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/dec/07/world-education-rankings-maths-science-reading)

I would love to write a very long blogpost on my opinions of the Spanish education system, but I'm sure you wouldn't all love to read it. I'll try to sum it up shorty, with something I was told by someone who is doing her masters degree in Madrid. In her class, made up of Americans, Spaniards, and other Europeans, she said one thing is evident. Spanish people can take notes faster than we can. Why is that? Because they write down what they are told without stopping and questioning it. They seem more concerned with the "How" instead of the "Why". For example on a Literature test we had a question that asked "From which part of the book does this passage come" as apposed to "Explain how the author reflects his childhood through the main character in the novel." It is very uncreative as far as I am concerned.

On a positive note, I really love going to school. My classmates (some of whom are in the pictures) are all so amazing and friendly, and I always feel like if I need something they will help me. Let's put it this way...I love the social part of school. However I don't like how there is no school pride. We don't have school sweatshirts and t-shirts that people wear to class, nor are there sports games that everyone attends dressed in school colors (I guess that's an American thing). That part doesn't bother me so much, it is more that there are also no clubs( like Key Club, Film Club, French Club etc) which I think is a vital part of being involved in your school.

**This blog does not reflect the views of Rotary.