Student Journals: AIFS in Granada, Spain

Robin Olmstead
Whittier College
University of Granada, Spain

I have only been in Granada for a month, but it already feels like home to me. I have experienced so much in such a short time it’s unbelievable. I have already traveled half way across the globe, made some amazing friends, became “la nena” in a new home and “la rubia” on the streets. I have learned my way around the city, visited the Alhambra, Albaicin, the beach in Almeria and even Barcelona. I have even completed my intensive language course. Time is flying by like a Spaniard on a vespa. I have been planning to study abroad in Spain ever since my best friends’ sister studied in Sevilla when I was a freshman in high school. It has been seven years since then and now I am finally fulfilling my long awaited dream. The anticipation is finally over and here I am in the beautiful city of Granada.

Granada is honestly everything I could have imagined, hoped for and needed at this time in my life. I am a senior at Whittier College, go poets, and I have to say that the Centro de Lenguas Modernas is doing a wonderful job at filling Whittier´s shoes. CLM has so much to offer students. The people are friendly, the atmosphere is laid back, the central courtyard provides the perfect place to sit and chat with your friends between classes, the aula multimedia allows you to connect with your friends and family back home, and if needed you can walk mere seconds to a cerveceria just around the corner.

My home stay experience has been incredible since the first day. I live with a fantastic lady, Maite, in a gorgeous apartment next to la Ribera Genil. I have to admit I have been spoiled here. I have my own room, a large closet, a desk and a large set of shelves and drawers. I also have my own bathroom down the hall. I struck gold with this homestay. The food has been amazing as well. I am typically a very picky eater but while here I have learned to embrace legumbres of all sorts, vegetables, new fruits and fish. If you like ham, Granada is the place for you. We eat a lot of chicken, ham and fish but if you are in the mood for a nice steak I know a little Argentinian steak restaurant. With all of the wonderful food here you would think you might gain some weight, but with all of the walking you do it is easy to burn off those calories from the always delicious heladerias, pastelerias or chocolate on churros…a Spanish must have! My homestay is about a 25 minute walk from the CLM so I get plenty of walking in on a daily basis.

I just got back from watching the sunset at El Mirador de San Nicolas and I am already dreading the day I am going to have to leave Granada. There is nothing like watching the sunset on the Alhambra while flamenco guitar plays in the background, nothing. But until December 22, I am going to take in and do as much as possible while I can. Next stop planned…Toledo, Madrid, and then Italy for five days.