What not to do in Spain

It’s hard to believe that this trip is coming to a close. I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely and don’t have many regrets. However, I do have some advice for future students...

Packing
Don’t…

Forget your laptop. You will need it a lot.

• Bring too many clothes-You can buy a lot here and you want to have plenty of space for your souvenirs.


• Forget comfy shoes, but also don’t forget your fancier footwear. You do a lot of walking here, but you need more than your tennis shoes and flip-flops. People here always where really nice sandals/wedges/heels.

Host family
Don’t…

• Leave your host family out of your life. If you include them a bit, they are a lot nicer and will treat you as if your part of the family.

Traveling

Don't...

• Travel every weekend. You’re going to be exhausted and miss out on what Salamanca has to offer. I have to mention that Sundays are not the most eventful here in Salamanca.
• Forget to do some planning. The time goes by fast, and you do not want to miss out on anything. Also, when traveling, research the attractions beforehand to so that you don’t waste precious time at your destination.

Classes
Don’t…

• Talk during class about the dumb things that happened to you the night before. This advice applies to the classes that are not just for Michigan students. Pretty much everyone can hear/understand you. They are going to make fun of you, and Americans in general, behind your back. My host family/housemates have done this often, and I’m tired of constantly having to defend us.

General
Don’t…

• Go out every night/take too many ciestas. There are a lot of things to see in Salamanca during the day. Take tours of the city. Explore on your own. There is a lot to see here.
• Speak in English. You are definitely going to speak some English while you’re here, but you should make it a point to speak in Spanish with everyone, including Michigan students. This is one of my major regrets. You are only here for 6 weeks, which is not a lot of time, so you need to get in as much Spanish as possible. Also, a lot of people here have somewhat of a bias against Americans. Talking in English during class is only going to strengthen that bias.
• Stick to the Michigan group. In your classes, it is most likely that your professors are going to refer to all Michigan students as one entity. Don’t give him/her reason to do that. Try meeting other people from other countries and making new friends.
• Touch the fruit in a fruit store. Apparently it is very offensive, and I made a fruit vendor very mad for doing it.
• Wait until the last minute to take pictures. My camera broke this week, and it really sucks.