Cultural Identity and my transition

One of the hardest things about studying abroad is forgetting your culture and adapting to another one. It's been harder to forget about my culture this time and easier to see the important differences between the two cultures. Now that I've been here for awhile and I've gotten a chance to see some of my fellow students (American) around the city, I've begun to realize its time to let go of whats comfortable to me and adapt something different. A lot of the students (extranjeros/abroad) set a terrible stereotype for our culture and its not something I care to support. I can't blame some of the bars, and Spaniards for looking at American students in away that expects immature actions. From what I've seen thus far, many Americans come abroad and fall into a trend of going out to drink every night, being overwhelmingly loud, and they tend to stick out like light in a dark room. Its not easy to say but I'm actually embarrassed to be abroad in another country and to have someone else setting such an example. This next week I'm going to consentrate on fitting in, separating myself from the normal and habitual tendencies of so many American students and looking for something a little more offbeat. I'm learning a lot over here and have enjoyed everything about the city so far. I've been running in the mornings next to the river and during the day I've been studying and enjoying more of the city. I hope you're all doing well and fall is nice in Minnesota, I'll keep updating the blog as much as I can, (as much as the internet connection will allow). The biggest thing I've seen lately is the cethedral in Sevilla. The cathedral is the biggest in Spain, and the third biggest in the world! The amount of money and time spent on the cathedral is evident the moment you step into it and look at the amazing complexity of the ceilings, sculptures worked into the walls, themes incorporated into the work, paintings, and the humbling amount of gold throughout the church. If the physical attributes of the church wasn't enough to awe you, maybe standing next to Cristopher Columbus's tomb will... it sure did for me.

Hasta pronto,

Brian