La Plaza Mayor (The Town Square)
A Student in Spain
The lock of my huge, overloaded hard-shell suitcase broke as I removed the suitcase from the boot of the taxi. As a result, my personal effects were scattered on the road in front of the student hostel. Thus, the taxi driver exclaimed in exasperation: “¡Ay! ¡Dios mío!” (meaning, “Ah! My God!). Highly mortified, I furtively picked up my things from the road and shoved them back into the suitcase, praying that nothing was lost. I did this all the while lamenting over the fact that despite my limited funds as a student, I would have to buy a new suitcase for my return trip home.
Thus began my one-month stay in Madrid, Spain in the late nineties for a Summer Course in Spanish Language, Literature and Culture. The Spanish Government sponsored the Course through my university in Ghana.
The organisers structured the Course very well. There were participants from various countries around the world. Whereas some of the participants were full-time students, like myself, others were employees of organisations and their various organisations were sponsoring them to learn the language. On the very first day, we all wrote a test in Spanish grammar. After the test, the organisers divided us into groups of different levels of competence namely beginners, intermediate and advanced. I found myself in the beginners’ class. The class was very interactive. We all had no option but to communicate with each other in Spanish as we were from different countries.
Eating at the dining hall in the hostel was not without its challenges. First of all, we were served with limited portions which left me still hungry even after the meal was over. Secondly, my fussy palate struggled to get used to some of the dishes. Whereas I loved “paella”, (that is a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken and seafood etc.), I had a tough time trying to appreciate “gazpacho Andaluz” (that is Andalusian gazpacho, a cold soup and drink made from raw, blended vegetables).
I found solace in the“pan de barra” , a Spanish-style baguette. This bread was always available on the side table for every meal. A student could take as many loaves of the bread as possible. After my meal, I would eat the bread and drink a lot of water to comfort and satisfy my poor, unfulfilled and confused stomach. A girl had to figure out how to survive.
During the weekends, my friends and I would catch up on some sightseeing. On one occasion, we visited an amusement park in Madrid named “Parque de Atracciones de Madrid” (Park of Attractions) after lunch. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we lost track of time. When we finally got back to the hostel, supper was long over. I had to resort to some stale bread that I had in my room. However that experience was worth it!
Parque de Atracciones (Amusement Park)
The organisers of the Summer Course planned a day’s bus trip to Segovia. We went to the “Alcázar de Segovia”, (Alcázar of Segovia), a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia in Spain, which served as a museum and a military archives building. We had a fruitful history lesson and we took memorable pictures. We were also privileged to witness a wedding being held there.
In front of the Alcázar of Segovia
Inside the Alcázar of Segovia
I had the opportunity to make friends from various countries as a result of the Summer Course. One friend from the Philippines who was a mature student graciously bought a copy of a Spanish textbook, recommended by our lecturer, for me. I could not afford to buy the book on my limited budget. I remain grateful to her for her kindness. You can see the book below:
I almost missed my flight back to Ghana as I had unknowingly not confirmed my return flight before travelling to Spain. With some assistance from the course coordinator, I managed to do so and fortunately secured a flight back home.
Were I to have had more money at my disposal, I would have visited more cities in Spain such as Seville, Valencia, Barcelona and Granada, among others. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time and I cherish the memories of Spain in my heart. To Spain I will say, “¡hasta luego!”, that is, “See you again!”
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Fabulous experience, I’m glad you didn’t miss your flight to Ghana 🙏
Yes, it was a great experience 👌
I was very fortunate not to miss my flight back to Ghana, too 😄
Thanks for reading 🙏
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Hi Heidi-Marie, this a well written article. You had my attention from beginning to the end.
Life as a student abroad is something everyone should experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. You’re most welcome!
Such a nice story of your experience. I love the photos!
Glad you enjoyed the story! Thanks for the compliment ☺️
You are so welcome🌷🌷🌷It was a great story of your personal accounts.
Also, it was nostalgic. It is wonderful to look back on and share memorable events.
Yes, it is! 😆
😻
Been there in the 80s on a language course. Studied at the Universidad Comillas. Interesting city Madrid. Nightlife was the African Club where all African’s intermingled daily. Such joy.
Glad to hear that! Was a great time!
Oh yes. Was just after secondary schooling and I wanted to travel while studying. My host later became aggressive having cheated me out of my funds.
Oh dear! Anyway, it’s one of those things. At least you had a good experience of Spain.
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I love your story of being in Spain as a student – what a wonderful experience. Youth is meant for exploring and you have certainly done that.
I’m happy to hear you love it. Hope to explore some more! 😊
Hi! I just stumbled upon this post. Wow what a well written story. It’s almost as if I was with you in Spain in the 90s. Also loved your photos! It makes me feel so nostalgic. Definitely following your blog!
Hi Marjolein, so happy for the vote of confidence! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and the story. Looking forward to you following my blog! Welcome 🙏
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I love these photos. I loved visiting Spain. I follow your blog and you can follow mine. Anita
Hi Anita, I’m glad to hear that you love the photos. Spain is lovely. Thanks for following my blog! I’m following yours too!
Thanks Heidi . I love seeing your area .Anita
Memories of students’ lives always made us nostalgic! Well shared!
Yes, a lot of nostalgia. Thanks for the compliment.
Welcome. Do read my blog.🙄
Yes and I am following you too. 😊
🙏
Oh, I love these pictures of a radiant young girl, in a pretty dress, ready for whatever adventures Spain will bring! I too did a language course in Spain once (2002) and was divided in a group after an exam, had paella at a rooftop party, and saw the feria of Malaga! Lovely memories, thank you for bringing them back to me! Will definitely follow you to see more posts like this!
Thanks so much for your comments and for following me. I’m happy to have brought back your lovely memories of Spain!
So cool Heidi! Thank you for sharing. I would love to visit Spain….
Thanks Zachariah. Yes you should one day! And thanks for following my blog!
Awww. Wonderful experience in Spain. So nice to recollect and share this memorable travelling experience with readers.
I’ve really enjoyed your travelling experience.
Thanks so much!
I love travelling
Yes. Travel and see!
what a better place to be
Thanks.
nice
Thanks!
You know I was part of that trip and the recollection of events is uncanny. This is probably my favorite article of yours because of the memories it resurrected. Thanks for sharing your experience with us
Yes you were oh! Such good memories 😌. You’re most welcome.
Lovely write up. Lovely memories!!
Yes, very lovely memories! Thanks.
Great write up.
Thanks!
You are magical madam with a wealth of stories and knowledge to impart. You find a solution to all situations. It’s no doubt that you are able to handle any circumstance that arises, including the Senegal case. You are a role model to follow.
Thanks for your compliments!
Travel and see!!!!!
Yes oh!
An amazing travel memoir !!!
Thank you!
The good old days! Yet the thing is, we can still create amazing memories every day and everywhere!!!
So true. Yes we can and we should!
This piece is fantastic.
Thank you!