I have been blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in Seville, Spain for a semester. After one month of living here, I've gotten over the initial culture shock and am slowly adapting to the Spanish way of life. There are endless cultural differences between America and Spain, but here are a few things that have really stood out to me during my time in España:
Everyone is fashionable.
My 80-year-old host mom is more fashionable than I am, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. No one would ever leave the house here in gym clothes, unless you’re actually going for a run.
Eating and drinking on-the-go is not a thing.
I can’t tell you how many weird looks I’ve gotten when I’m walking to class and eating an apple. No one carries around coffee cups or water bottles “para llevar” (to go) unless you’re trying to look muy Americano.
Iced coffee is also not a thing.
Cue the dramatic violin music. I realized within my first few days here that iced coffee is an American phenomenon. As an iced coffee addict, I was crestfallen. I asked for “café con hielo” (coffee with ice) and I was handed two cups: one with hot coffee and one with ice, pictured below.
Pro tip: While iced coffee can be found in "Dunkin’ Coffee" (aka Dunkin Donuts) and Starbucks, it’s ridiculously overpriced and does not taste the same. Do not waste your money.
iPhones are taking over America, but not the rest of the world.
I was shocked to see how unpopular iPhones are in Europe. Instead of iMessage, most people use WhatsApp to stay in touch.
People are more present.
It is refreshing to go to a restaurant and to see people actually talking to each other instead of texting on their phones.
People are more environmentally aware.
I’ve probably used less energy in Spain in one month than I typically use in America in a week. Spaniards are extremely conscious of their energy use. My host mom asks me to unplug everything before I leave the house. Showers are limited to 5-10 minutes. Many places don’t have air conditioning (which results in frizzy hair and lots of sweating— so beware). America, please step up your game and stop being so wasteful.
Everyone seems more relaxed.
In general, the people in Spain are waaaaaay more relaxed than Americans. They eat chill pills for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Americans have little patience and always seem like they’re in a hurry. The people in Spain radiate a go-with-the-flow vibe. People take things “paso a paso” (step by step) instead of worrying about things that haven’t happened yet or things they can’t control.
