2008 Woodie Awards
Salutations From Salamanca: Tales from Abroad
Last Minute Fears Before Studying In Spain
Greg Mooney
Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Life
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I feel like I am on a rollercoaster car slowly clicking up the track towards the sky right before plunging into a thrilling, five-story drop.
Feb. 16 is my departure date. As it grows nearer, my anticipation about study abroad in
Salamanca, Spain, is steadily increasing.
Much of that anticipation is probably due to the fact that I have not left this country in 28 years; not coincidently the same number of years that I have existed on this planet (or any other).
The impression that I get from other travelers is that the Spanish lifestyle is more relaxed than our own. For example, the drinking age is 18, and it is customary for many people to take naps (siestas) in the middle of the day.
I hope that I do not lose my focus while I am studying abroad. But, please, do not misunderstand me.
I am really looking forward to experiencing a different way of life and to opening myself up to new ideas and chances for personal growth.
I am a serious student, so I do not want to go wild in Spain and do things that I normally would not. My ultimate fear is that if I do go wild, I could come back home an alcoholic or with a case of Hepatitis contracted from a sleazy tattoo artist's dirty needle. I realize, however, that this fate is unlikely if I use some self-control and common sense.
There are also other more external concerns over which I have no control.
In March 2004, the terrorist network al Qaeda was implicated by Spanish police for a train bombing in Madrid that killed 191 people and injured more than 1,400. No Citrus students were harmed, and there have been no such incidents by al Qaeda since.
Another worry is the terrorist separatist group called ETA in the Basque region of Spain is responsible for many car bombings and kidnappings in the country. However, the increased security world-wide as a result of the al Qaeda terrorist attacks has made it more difficult for ETA to carry out their terrorist operations.
Also, ETA generally aims for military targets and government officials, so I should not let the worry of such an attack ruin my trip.
Feb. 16 is my departure date. As it grows nearer, my anticipation about study abroad in
Salamanca, Spain, is steadily increasing.
Much of that anticipation is probably due to the fact that I have not left this country in 28 years; not coincidently the same number of years that I have existed on this planet (or any other).
The impression that I get from other travelers is that the Spanish lifestyle is more relaxed than our own. For example, the drinking age is 18, and it is customary for many people to take naps (siestas) in the middle of the day.
I hope that I do not lose my focus while I am studying abroad. But, please, do not misunderstand me.
I am really looking forward to experiencing a different way of life and to opening myself up to new ideas and chances for personal growth.
I am a serious student, so I do not want to go wild in Spain and do things that I normally would not. My ultimate fear is that if I do go wild, I could come back home an alcoholic or with a case of Hepatitis contracted from a sleazy tattoo artist's dirty needle. I realize, however, that this fate is unlikely if I use some self-control and common sense.
There are also other more external concerns over which I have no control.
In March 2004, the terrorist network al Qaeda was implicated by Spanish police for a train bombing in Madrid that killed 191 people and injured more than 1,400. No Citrus students were harmed, and there have been no such incidents by al Qaeda since.
Another worry is the terrorist separatist group called ETA in the Basque region of Spain is responsible for many car bombings and kidnappings in the country. However, the increased security world-wide as a result of the al Qaeda terrorist attacks has made it more difficult for ETA to carry out their terrorist operations.
Also, ETA generally aims for military targets and government officials, so I should not let the worry of such an attack ruin my trip.