Primeras impresiones - Barrett Olson

I am one of several students from the University of Michigan studying in Granada, Spain. The majority of the post I make here will be based off of weekly prompts.

Granada is a beautiful city with much to appreciate. It reminds me of Florence, Italy in  that the city is very walkable and it is full of culture and history. It also reminds me a little bit of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is a busy place with a touch of Eastern culture and a little bit of everything. The city has an interesting history, seen in it's combinations of the Catholic Cathedral and Moorish Alhambra. However, it is also a modern diverse college town. At night the streets are filled with young people looking to drink, party, and dance.

I had to laugh when preparing to write this blog due to one of the prompt questions:

Is there something you forgot back home that you wish you had here?

Due to an airline error, I have been without my luggage here in Granada for over a week. While I wouldn't say I had forgotten anything there is much I wish I had. However, there is a silver lining. Thanks to airline policy I was given a bit of money to buy clothing in Spain. I was tempted to go to venders I was familiar with like Vans and H&M but I decided I should ask the locals what I should buy.  Daniel, one of the program directors, took me to his favorite places. I was able to find a few pieces of clothing that I really like. Apparently Daniel has good taste because when I return to my homestay my host mother saw the logo on the bag and said with a smile "It is chic."

Though I did enjoy the excuse to shop. I hope my bag arrives soon. I want to give my host family the gift I bought them. I feel like I'm intruding when I have to borrow my professor's workbook, my friends notebooks and my host brothers clothing. Everyone has been as specially wonderful to me and extremely giving but it is difficult to be dependent on others especially in a foreign place. My host family has done everything possible to make me feel at home but it is difficult without anything but my laptop and backpack to really get adjusted. I know it is going to take time, but it is hard to focus on studying and improving my Spanish in the meantime. I am still very much enjoying my time here and am greatful for everything.

One of my only regrets is not practicing more Spanish before I came here (it would have helped everything run smoothly). That and packing more in my carry-on bag.

Saludos,

Barrett Olson