These past 56 days in Spain have flown by! Thanks to staying with a local host family, I feel more connected to the Spanish lifestyle than ever. My culture shock has been minimal but I do have a first day, a homestay memory I’ll never forget. Upon entering the kitchen for the first time I was shocked to find a two-foot-long leg of “jamón,” or cured pig, hoof, and all inbetween the sink and espresso maker on the counter. Jamón is a massive piece of Spanish culture and cuisine and is almost always gifted over the holidays. Our family had received a leg of jamón and proudly kept it on a “jamón holder” to slice off thin pieces for their daily meals. My host mom’s oldest son offered me my first slice, and I am now a big fan.

I have attended many events and festivals in Barcelona, one of my first being the “Fiesta Mayor de Sant Antoni”. This festival occurs every 17th of January in the Sant Antoni neighborhood of Barcelona to celebrate their beloved patron saint. This festival in particular is famous for “fire runs,” or “córrer foc” in Catalan. Residents of all ages gather in the streets with pre-selected neighbors who dress as “diables” and run under “raining fireworks”. The parades are also filled with flaming sculptures and amazing rhythmic drumming performances. I joined in the thousands of people walking through the streets, running and dancing under the sparkling fire. This experience was extremely fun and memorable because it was unexpected, and would never occur in the US.

Recently, I traveled through Catalunya to the province of Tarragona where I experienced a “calçotada”. Calçots are very large, “green onion-like” vegetables that are grilled, charred, and served with a specific sauce during the cool months in the region. The vegetables are messy and often served with wine, bread, and an array of meats.

One of the most recent events I attended was an FC Barcelona game at Camp Nou. It was a major bucket list experience to check off while studying abroad. The 100,000-person stadium was packed on a sunny Sunday afternoon and Barça won 1-0 against Valencia! That’s when I truly understood the vital importance of fútbol to Spain and its people.

In comparison to my own culture, I’ve noticed many differences while studying in Spain. Emphasis on leisure, downtime, and prioritizing an equal work-life balance is essential to the Spanish and Mediterranean lifestyle. I’ve found that Spanish people tend to socialize more outside of the home than within and that the family unit is very strong in Spain. The culture is also extremely open, honest, accepting, especially in cities such as Barcelona.

Overall, despite cultural differences that become apparent now and then, traveling has reminded me of how similar we all are, rather than how different we may seem from afar. I’m most appreciative of this reminder as I continue to travel to new continents and countries in the coming weeks.