En España Exploring What It Means to Be Spanish By Robin Miller

Robin Miller Earlier this year, I left the University of Oregon for two terms in Seville, Spain. For months, I had anticipated studying abroad. Although I’m not a Spanish major, I had studied the language for nearly six years and was eager to immerse myself in another culture. Receiving a special study abroad scholarship for political science majors made possible by an anonymous donor helped to make my experience possible. Despite my anticipation, I also had mixed expectations. I lacked confidence in my Spanish skills, and I was concerned that life with a host family after over two years on my own could be stifling. Any skepticism about my host family was dashed immediately upon my arrival in Seville when Julia Belinchón, my host mother, and her 17-year-old daughter, Julia, picked me up at the airport. In the flurry of introductory kisses, I immediately felt at home. Six months before my arrival, they decided to invite an American to stay in their home because they thought it would be fun. The Belinchóns had plenty of work to do because my Spanish was not stellar when I first arrived. During meals, I never escaped my host mother’s demands to tell her something about my day at school, my travel plans, my impressions of Seville, or my life in the U.S. The Spanish impression of the U.S. -- our culture, politics, and social problems -- was always an important topic. While my hosts taught me a lot about what it means to be a Spaniard, I also became acutely aware of how the U.S. affects the rest of the world. Studying abroad helped me to develop a sense of personal responsibility for the actions of my own country. In addition to helping me learn Spanish, my host family was also interested in my ability to dance. I took a class in Sevillenas, a traditional Sevillian dance. My host sister, an avid dancer, threw herself into working with me on the difficult steps. These lessons culminated in the Feria de Abril -- the April Fair -- Seville’s annual week-long party in which the entire city fervently dances Sevillenas. Everyone dresses up, and women frequently wear flamenco dresses. My host mother opened her closet to me during Feria, and when I went dancing with Julia, I went gitana. During my time in Spain, I never ceased to feel like I was the star of show-and-tell, but my host family’s constant effort to include me in their lives was certainly the most important part of my time there. When studying abroad, school, of course, is part of the plan. Along with other Oregon students studying in Seville through the UO Overseas Study Program, I attended the International College of Seville. I took courses in Spanish history, art history, literature and a Spanish composition-conversation class. Admittedly, school seemed like a terrible inconvenience when I had all of Spain at my fingertips! Nevertheless, my classes were rigorous and I learned a lot -- particularly from my art history and composition professors, who answered many difficult questions while also helping me learn to communicate and understand what it means to be a Spaniard. When I was not in class, I traveled around Spain and Portugal and explored Seville in an effort to meet people and get to know my adopted home. Because I took my classes primarily with other Americans, I did not have many opportunities to meet Spanish students. Consequently, I relied on my host sister, neighbors and chance meetings in cafés, on trains and the bus, and in bars for making friends. Living in a country where one is not fluent in the spoken language can be lonely; however, my host family and friends kept me from feeling isolated. Although I am not completely fluent in Spanish, even after living in Spain for six months, my ability to communicate is far better. I look forward to returning to Spain and visiting other Spanish-speaking countries. One of the first -- and most important -- lessons I learned is that it is necessary to talk as much as possible to gain fluency. Enduring embarrassing grammatical mistakes and accent struggles is necessary, because with constant effort, comes improvement. This fall, I will recommence my political science studies, take my last few Honors College requirements and begin my senior thesis. As I work through my final college year and begin the next part of my life, I know my time in Spain, and the cultural understanding I gained from living there, will always stay with me. I will always be appreciative of the anonymous donor who helped make my trip possible.

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