Written by: Payton Gallowitch | Fall 2024
Butler Semester in Spain
Brief background
Growing up, my family hosted foreign exchange students from countries all over the world. They would go to school and stay with us for the entire year, becoming another member of the family. I was lucky enough to get a taste of each of their cultures and languages while they studied abroad and explored American culture for the first time. Going from being the hostess to being the student that is getting hosted, I have been able to truly put myself in their shoes and understand this experience from their perspective. Although the following topics are addressed to all of my previous students, I hope anyone can find the value in these observations, be inspired to experience it for themselves, or find similarities from their personal time abroad.
I understand now how nerve racking it is to use a new language 24/7
It is easy to learn a new language and leave it in the classroom when you go home or hangout with friends. However, studying abroad does not always leave you with that privilege and challenges you to put this new language to use in all aspects of your life. No matter how many classes I have taken, using the language in real time and in person with native speakers is going to be intimidating. I am telling myself the same thing my family told you when you first got to the States: You know more of this language than you think, and practicing is the only way it will get better. Failing is part of learning and sometimes is the best way to understand something more clearly.
I understand now why you were so excited to see the things that none of us even batted an eye at anymore.
I remember distinctly a moment while driving on the highway, you had a huge grin on your face and took a picture of almost every semitruck that we passed. At the time, I found it difficult to understand how something so typical and seemingly redundant could be so shocking or intriguing to someone else. Yet here, I have no shame. I am taking pictures of so many things that are normal and simply a part of life for the people that live in Spain, but for a girl from Northwest Indiana are incredibly beautiful or special. I am finding so much beauty in the smallest of things here and find myself getting lost in things that most Spaniards would consider normal or boring.
I understand now why you were so shy the first few weeks.
You were in a new country with new people and a new language and were expected to just jump right in. Everyone around you was going through life as normal and you were taking in what most people had told you was meant to be the most impactful and fulfilling times of your life. That is a big expectation to live up to. In my first few weeks here, I made sure to prioritize myself and gave myself grace to adjust to everything. Sometimes that meant taking a nap or going on a walk by myself, but in doing so, I had more energy to open up and explore in the weeks that followed. I was more reserved and had not shown all my personality, but that is like most new things in my life, it takes a little bit to warm up.
I understand now why you were so confused at some things that seemed normal to me.
That was your very first time seeing the culture of my country, and even more so, the cultural tendencies and customs we maintained in my family. I did a lot of observing when I first got here and just tried to pay attention to how people carried themselves, how they interacted with one another and the pace they went about their days with. Meals here are a time to connect with the people around you and are really valued as a social aspect. In Spain, you never are rushing to finish a meal to make it to an event or to move on to the next thing. This is a time to relax and be present with your family (especially when everyone is done eating). I have done a lot of staring in my time here all for learning purposes.
I understand now why you left me so many of your things and clothes when you went back home.
Although unfortunate for you, it was usually a win in my book. As a little girl I had something that reminded me of your time with us (and of course always loved adding new clothes to my closet). This is something I have been warned about a countless number of times and still willingly chose to pack my suitcase to the brim when coming abroad. I still have over a month left in the semester and I am strategizing how best to bring home all the items and gifts I have obtained since being here. I cannot wait to repay the favor and leave some of my clothes behind to my loving host family as a symbol of my appreciation and something to remember me by.
I understand now that some nights you had to go to bed early.
How could you go to sleep when you are in a new country with new food and new people and new schedules? Just because I am in a new country, does not mean that I am suddenly superhuman and don’t require the same amount of rest that I do at home. Actively listening to your nonnative language all day is surprisingly exhausting for your brain. Not only is the language aspect an obstacle, but pushing yourself out of a routine and into discovering pieces of the space around you can get tiring. “Say yes to everything” is a beautiful saying to push you to be spontaneous and get out of your comfort zone, but sometimes you will be able to say yes to so many more things if you say no when your body needs to slow down.