It’s been less than a month of living in Spain and my wallet is already feeling a bit too light. The region of Andalusia (where Granada is located) is statistically poorer than the rest of the country, thus making it easier to find things for cheap—and even easier to spend all your money. Now, as a college student running off the cash from my summer camp counseling job, I was thrilled to find that things wouldn’t be as expensive.

Yep, I’m experiencing culture shock from living in another country. Are you shocked?

It’s Electric (boogie woogie woogie)

The first shocking thing is electricity. The voltage is different, and the plugs are different so I always have to have an adapter with me. I not only have to remember to bring my laptop charger, but also my adapter or I have a dead laptop.

Food

Hello from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean! I made it! I successfully arrived in Nantes, France a few weeks ago on September 1st. Since then, I have been exploring, adjusting to city life, starting classes, and fitting myself into my host family’s lifestyle. In familiarizing myself with Nantes these past few weeks, there are a few lesser-known details that I have picked up on that I believe add a bit more quirk and uniqueness to this beautiful region of France.

1. Low flying planes

Hi everybody! This past week the thing everyone fears happened… people got COVID-19. Fortunately it wasn’t serious for anybody, but I still thought it’s worth talking about considering this is the first time IES Abroad sent students abroad post-pandemic. Of course we have to try to be careful, but a big part of studying abroad is going out and exploring your location so what’s the right balance between caution and enjoying your city? 

I’ve already written about how much I like the metro. On my many metro trips the past few weeks, I’ve spent some time reflecting on why.  

One of the first new Spanish words that I learned when I arrived in Granada was “sobremesa.” It doesn’t have an exact English translation, and that’s because sobremesa refers to something uniquely Spanish. Sobremesa is the time you spend relaxing and chatting around the table during meal times. Here in Spain, and especially in southern Spain, meals are meant to be enjoyed at a slow leisurely pace. They are a time to connect with friends and family and to slow down and unwind during your day. 

I came to Dublin prepared to be confused by the Irish ways of life. I was not prepared to be blindsided by my own stove top. Here is my Dublin kitchen crash course along with some advice for making your new home feel lived in and personal. 

The “Hob”

"Welcome home! Take a seat. Here's everything you missed."