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Saturday, 21 Jun 08
Alex George, 16, decided she wanted to learn Spanish and then decided to venture across the world to do so. Knowing no one, she hopped on a plane to take a month-long immersion class. Here's her story ...
My desire to learn Spanish drove me to travel to Spain for a month to study not only the language, but the culture and art as well. I’m 16 years old and this is probably the most intimidating, yet most thrilling experience of my life. I have only been here for about two weeks, but everyone continues to tell me that it is a liberating journey and will get easier as time goes on.
The first day that I arrived in Málaga, I jumped in a taxi and it was all that I could do not to burst into tears and tell the poor man about how much I wanted just to go back to the comfort of Jackson Hole. As we drove through the city to my host family’s house, he pointed out all of the city’s landmarks and historical references, but I just nodded and looked out the window, throwing in a “ah si” every now and then, hoping to at least pretend like I was engaged. Once I arrived at my house for the next month, things got even worse. My host mother asked me a hundred questions in Spanish, and she spoke a million miles per hour. I just nodded and smiled and went off of every third word, because that was all that I could pick up from her. She showed me to my room and the second that she closed the door I burst into tears. I laid down on my bed and cried myself to sleep. I know that you are not supposed to sleep until everyone else does in order to prevent jetlag and adjust better, but as soon as I hit the bed, I was out.
The next few days grew increasingly better. I am going to an International School with people from all over the world. Most students are in their 20s, but some are even older. I am the baby by far at only 16. Everyone has helped me to find my place and adjust to the lifestyle here. The people you meet along the way that share the same sense of wonder become people that inspire you the most.
Málaga is known for its sweet wine and delicious tapas, so eating over here has been a dream. Málaga is also the hometown of Pablo Picasso and as I'm sure you can guess, the art is pretty inspiring. The architecture could have a whole article for itself, but something about the castles and old buildings gives the city a different feel than anything that I have ever witnessed before. Pictures can't really capture the essence.
The first weeks have been difficult due to obvious culture shocks and missing home, but it truly does get better each day. I jumped head first into a culture that I basically know nothing about. Though I miss my family and friends, this experience has forced me to find out a lot about myself and really reach outside of my comfort zone, as cliché as it sounds. I would encourage everyone to immerse themselves in something new and exciting as it has taught me so much!!!
Alex George jumps to Spain
Comment on this PostAlex George, 16, decided she wanted to learn Spanish and then decided to venture across the world to do so. Knowing no one, she hopped on a plane to take a month-long immersion class. Here's her story ...
My desire to learn Spanish drove me to travel to Spain for a month to study not only the language, but the culture and art as well. I’m 16 years old and this is probably the most intimidating, yet most thrilling experience of my life. I have only been here for about two weeks, but everyone continues to tell me that it is a liberating journey and will get easier as time goes on.
The first day that I arrived in Málaga, I jumped in a taxi and it was all that I could do not to burst into tears and tell the poor man about how much I wanted just to go back to the comfort of Jackson Hole. As we drove through the city to my host family’s house, he pointed out all of the city’s landmarks and historical references, but I just nodded and looked out the window, throwing in a “ah si” every now and then, hoping to at least pretend like I was engaged. Once I arrived at my house for the next month, things got even worse. My host mother asked me a hundred questions in Spanish, and she spoke a million miles per hour. I just nodded and smiled and went off of every third word, because that was all that I could pick up from her. She showed me to my room and the second that she closed the door I burst into tears. I laid down on my bed and cried myself to sleep. I know that you are not supposed to sleep until everyone else does in order to prevent jetlag and adjust better, but as soon as I hit the bed, I was out.
The next few days grew increasingly better. I am going to an International School with people from all over the world. Most students are in their 20s, but some are even older. I am the baby by far at only 16. Everyone has helped me to find my place and adjust to the lifestyle here. The people you meet along the way that share the same sense of wonder become people that inspire you the most.
Málaga is known for its sweet wine and delicious tapas, so eating over here has been a dream. Málaga is also the hometown of Pablo Picasso and as I'm sure you can guess, the art is pretty inspiring. The architecture could have a whole article for itself, but something about the castles and old buildings gives the city a different feel than anything that I have ever witnessed before. Pictures can't really capture the essence.
The first weeks have been difficult due to obvious culture shocks and missing home, but it truly does get better each day. I jumped head first into a culture that I basically know nothing about. Though I miss my family and friends, this experience has forced me to find out a lot about myself and really reach outside of my comfort zone, as cliché as it sounds. I would encourage everyone to immerse themselves in something new and exciting as it has taught me so much!!!
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