Anthony's Studies Abroad
I have been in Spain for over a month now and it still feels like I just arrived. I am having the time of my life out here and seeing new things everyday. My classes at Granada University started last week and all of my classes are in Spanish. I am studying the geography of Spain, culture, grammar, and finally getting better at writing in Spanish.
The school is around 2 miles from my house and we walk everyday. The walk is tiring but it is just the way people get around here. The way of live out here is extremely different from my life back at home but I love it and it's just something to learn to adapt to. I live with a woman named Carmen Villegas and she's the sweetest women on earth. My roommate is from Colorado and we live in a nice sized apartment with Carmen who treats us like kings.
I can not say it enough how great Spain is. Spaniards love life and are pretty open to meeting new people. Every night I am meeting someone who just interviews me for a good 15 minutes, wanting to know if I am from Cuba or just wondering why I am out here. As soon as people hear that I am from California, of course they immediately think of Hollywood or the beaches, as if that is all California is about.
My cousin Phyllis introduced me to some of her close friends here in Granada and my Spanish life kicked off from there. I go out with a group of Spaniards every other night and just have a good time. It is amazing how much you can learn outside of the classroom and just walking the streets with natives. At my school there are tons of Americans and I do spend a lot of time with them but all they do is speak English. I figure what is the point of coming to Spain and not even attempt to speak the language of the country you are in? We definitely spent enough money coming out here so live it up! I am not afraid of making mistakes when I speak Spanish because it is just the process of learning the language.
My program, American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS) have been taking the group all around Spain. So far I have been to Barcelona, Segovia, Germany, Nerja, Cadiz, Madrid and Malaga. It is amazing to see how much work gets put into the cathedrals of Spain. I've seen original artwork from world renowned painters like Valasquez and Picasso, walked through the palace of Queen Isabella and Ferdinand and seen their various castles through out Spain. I've seen Christopher Columbus's tomb and one of the oldest cities in the world named Toledo which was a former capital of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures. I am having the time of my life, thanks to all that helped and inspired me to expand my horizons. Within the time that I am here in Europe I hope to travel all over and budget my money well. Thanks for everything and all the support, without you all I don't think I would be here.
Much Love, Anthony Davis
P.S. I went to a football (Futbol/ Soccer) game in Barcelona. Best experience of my life! Also, I went to Carnival in Cadiz and saw original work by Gaudi and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Read Anthony's scholarship story and how the Young Minds Scholarship helped him afford college.
