Hola!! It has taken me awhile to finally write my blog, Im not exactly sure whether it is due to my heavy school workload, or maybe I’ve just been trying to avoid reminiscing about this incredible country because secretly, I’m wishing that I am still there….
UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA
GEO LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
During our 2 week stay, we attended the University of Navarra, where we learned how to speak and write in Spanish. After language class, we then explored the Spanish culture through lectures, hands-on class activities, as well as trips outside of the University to further enrich our cultural experience. Some of the trips included: a tour of the city hall, rumba class, tapas night, a trip to Olite city, and a trip to the city central. Everyday was literally an adventure, every second of it so memorable..
FOOD & DRINKS!
Pintxos(tapas) for days, 4 course meals, pastries, ice cream, vino, and cerveza!! EVERYTHING was wonderful, tasty, organic, and quite healthy, so I can speak for our group when I say we felt guilt-free when we pigged out 😛 There was very minimal fast food restaurants, there was honestly only 1 McD’s and KFC in the WHOLE city of Pamplona. No wonder why everyone looked sooo good, fit and happy!! These are some of our food and drink experiences..
CAFE IRUNA- the oldest restaurant in town! It has been around since the late 1800s.
VISITING OTHER PLACES
We were so fortunate enough to have been able to visit other cities nearby as well. Somehow, we made it possible to visit 3 other cities nearby. We explored the beautiful Madrid, Barcelona, and even got to go to Hendaya, France!! Although we were only in these cities for a limited time, we made sure we made an adventure out of it and made memories to last a lifetime. These are a few pictures from our awesome voyages.
LAST DAY IN SPAIN
It was a bittersweet moment, waking up to the last day of our Spain expedition. Saying goodbye is never easy, but this time it was so much harder to do. We said our final goodbye to our University, our incredible profesora Bea, our new found friends, and of course, the lovely land of Spain. With a heavy heart, I kept thinking im not saying goodbye, but instead its see you later.
FINAL REFLECTION
Finally, I want to say THANK YOU so much Centennial College, International Offices, and Pearl Vas for providing me with this INCREDIBLE experience that I will always and forever be grateful for. There are simply no words to describe how much this trip means to me, as I will always hold the experiences and memories I’ve made close to my heart. I’ve met incredible people with the kindest hearts and outgoing personalities that I can now call my friends. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could ever be provided with an opportunity to learn Spanish in Spain!!! Pearl, I feel really lucky to be one of the few students you have chosen to experience this trip of a lifetime, and I have utilized my 2 week time there!! Everyday was a different adventure in the beautiful country of Spain. I will always treasure this trip, and I cannot wait to go back.
I will leave this off with a favorite quote
“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”
-Gustave Flaubert
