NYC Through New Eyes

Friends made from all around the world (Austria, Holland, U.S.A, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany)- United in Barcelona. I’ll never forget the incredible people i met on the program; we will definitely keep in touch

After a few weeks of being back in the United States- rather, being home- I can say without exaggeration that I have returned a changed person. All the goals I set for myself before the start of my journey have been met; I made sure to never waste a moment of my stay in Spain. Every moment of every day was spent striving for something, whether it was striving to have fun with interesting people that I was fortunate to spend even a short time with, or striving to absorb as much Spanish language and culture as possible, I didn’t let a second slip away. I’m proud to say that I studied enough to be satisfied with my knowledge of the language after only one month of practice; I got to test my level of Spanish comprehension almost immediately after returning to the states, for New York City is full of Spanish- speaking citizens that use their native language while communicating in public. The day after I survived flight cancellations, extreme delays, general chaos, and finally got home, my family and I took a trip to the beach together as a reunion event. Immediately I got really excited at the fact that I heard Spanish being spoken all around me, a poly-lingual medley stirred into my ears. This time, I didn’t just disregard this foreign language…In fact, it didn’t seem so foreign anymore; I was able to tune in to it and turn to my family with pride as I whispered translations to them. I can honestly say that there is no better feeling than that of being able to act as a “bridge” between people. By understanding various languages, one is able to understand millions of more voices and that understanding is the key to spreading freedom of expression- the key to extending it to every corner of our world.

 

 

I promised myself that someday I would return to Spain to revisit its profound beauty. Some places are really worth seeing twice…

In addition to changing my perception of the importance of learning languages, I also changed as a person in terms of responsibility and independence. My parents confessed to being deeply impressed by my new approach to chores and life in general; I gained such a new level of confidence in everything I did, because I know I passed a test, proved that I could get by and thrive while being nearly on my own in a foreign country. This changed my life at home. By feeling like more of an adult, ready to take the world into my own hands, I was compelled to take care of my parents, work around the house, and my future with a lot more conviction and sense of responsibility. Observing this change in me and confirming the change in my character, my parents even began treating me differently, trusting me more. I loved Spain; the experience was unforgettable and I had the time of my life, truly. But being there for a month allowed me to reevaluate my life at home- I learned to appreciate the simple things I had at home, like really grassy parks, air conditioning, and a pool in my backyard. In summation, my experience in Spain opened my eyes a little wider to the world around me. The fact that I had so much independence while abroad put me under a certain amount of pressure, which molded me into a more responsible and mature person. The lessons I learned in Spain will be with me forever as I continue to explore cultures of different countries while working toward my goal of becoming fluent in five languages. 

I’ll never forget the lessons of culture that I learned in Spain. There was something magical about the unique, artistic beauty of the country and architecture

La Ultima Semana en España

When I woke up on Monday, July 25^th, I couldn’t help but stare at the calendar in shock as I realized that I was about to begin my final week in Spain. I felt at home in Barcelona- With its familiar streets, buildings and faces, I couldn’t imagine how I could just fly back to my world in New York and live on without all these things that I became so acquainted with. The weather outside was a bit unusual for Barcelona; it was a cloudy, windy day and these conditions seemed to match the tinge of sadness I felt at the thought of leaving this beautiful place.

The local shopping center

Since the weather was not ideal for beach-going, my friends and I started off to go shopping at the local shopping center. It was cool to spend a day immerged in the universal activity that people of all cultures enjoy engaging in. It was interesting to walk around the shopping plaza in Spain while hearing American mainstream music being played in most of the stores; I couldn’t help but make the correlation between such observations and everything I’d ever learned about globalization of culture. However, I did come across una tienda de moda that played music in Spanish- I couldn’t begin to describe the amazing feeling of satisfaction and joy that I felt when I realized that I understood the lyrics and could sing along. The next day we all went to the beach by Villa Olimpica but this time I decided to go with a new approach that I had wanted to try since my first visit. My Swiss friend, Natalie, was just as athletically inclined and health-conscious as I was; we decided to try lacing up our running shoes and jogging along the path that ran by the beach. The sensation was honestly amazing… Coming from a fairly strict workout regime that I held to in New York, it felt great to finally get back to the feeling of pleasant exhaustion that always accompanies a good jog. Exercising by the beach was the last thing on my personal to-do list in Barcelona and I was really glad we gave it a shot.    

With the exchange students from the U.S.

The next day our group was taken to a pool in which we could continue our active lifestyle in Spain as we got to dive around and race in the water. After spending a few hours there, everyone in our group worked up the perfect appetite before dinner- I know I personally enjoyed the seafood dish served by my host-mom at least twice as much after spending so much time and energy in the water. After the past couple of days, I was feeling really satisfied with the way I spent my time in Spain and felt like the program really made sure we didn’t miss out on any of the simple pleasures of Barcelona. On Thursday the entire group was taken to see a Spanish documentary in theaters. It discussed historical information about ancient Egypt and though the language was a bit more complex in terms of vocabulary and terminology, it was really interesting nonetheless. Meanwhile, I was haunted by the thought that when I got home that night, I would have to pack all my belongings and be ready to leave Barcelona the next morning- I’d have to get my luggage onto the metro and roll my two suitcases all the way to the ABC school by 10 a.m… I was definitely not looking forward to it, but the entire process was not as bad as I expected. I even got there early J

The beautiful scenery in Costa Brava

After a lengthy bus ride to Costa Brava, we arrived at our hotel and received our room keys. At this point, only the students from America were left- it was actually the first time that we would have no choice but to hang out with each other for a few days. Usually, we all took our scheduled activities as opportunities to bond with our new friends from other countries. This time we got to really realize how accustomed to each other’s company we had grown and how different we all truly were, despite the fact that we were from the same country. By the end of the program, it became clear to me that one of the most beautiful things about America is that there is no single defined culture or standard to being an American- every state has something special to offer to the diversity of the country, and that is what makes our nation rich. In addition to the bonding experience and progress on the journey to self-discovery, Costa Brava provided us all with some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever had the privilege of witnessing. The remnants of a medieval castle could be found enshrouded in beautiful Mediterranean pine trees atop a captivating stone hill; below, surrounded by enchantingly angular cliffs, were strips of beach that lured tourists onto the sandy paradise. And when we swam in the sea- Pure magic. The water was so clear and wonderfully brisk, but not too cold. It was simple perfection and we had the pleasure of indulging in it for the weekend. When standing at the top of a hill overlooking Tossa del Mar at night, I literally had to wipe tears from my eyes… The beauty was really almost too much for one to bear. 

We flew out to Frankfurt Sunday morning and, though we experienced some serious difficulties with the flight from Germany back to the states, I got home perfectly safe on August 2^nd. It’s always good to be back, since everyone knows- there really is no place like home. But I loved Spain and can say without exaggeration that this past month has been the best time of my life. I will never forget the beauty I witnessed, or the new, wonderful people that I had the honor of becoming acquainted with. This trip has taught me more about myself and about the world outside of U.S. boundaries than I could have ever dreamed, and for that I will always be grateful.

Blog #4

The Labyrinth

After yet another relaxing weekend spent in the beautiful city of Barcelona, my friends and I were ready to begin another week of classes at the ABC language school. When Monday morning arrived, my friends and I encountered three new students in our A 1.2 Spanish class. They were from France and had a slightly harder time in the class than we did and so we realized that the level had become too easy for us; we requested a transfer to a higher level and were extremely excited to be placed in the A 2.2 level. Skipping level 2, I knew that I would be encountering a true challenge in class from now on. This meant that it would be my responsibility to review a lot of the material at home since I chose to take such an accelerated course, but I was excited to except the challenge nonetheless.

This is such a beautiful place!

As our group activity for the day, we were taken on a spectacular boat tour around Barcelona. We got to see the city from yet another perspective and to really absorb the outward beauty as we had some fun with our friends from Germany, Austria, Sweden, Holland, and Switzerland. Singing along to German techno music (to the best of our ability), my friends and I had a blast enjoying the feeling of being at the front of the boat as it was rocked by the sea. On Tuesday we were taken on another enjoyable trip to the beach where we had the choice of playing a number of sports like beach ball, racquetball, or swimming. And again, I felt exhausted at the end of the day but truly satisfied.

One of the most beautiful places in Barcelona!

The next day we were taken to one of the most beautiful places I’d seen in Barcelona- The Labyrinth. It was a park that had an actual labyrinth formed out of bushes that kept leading us into dead-ends until we finally found a way out. The reward for successfully exiting the labyrinth was the indulgent beauty of the nature blossoming around beautiful fountains. The place was extremely green and tranquil- one of those places that made you swear the trees were trying to whisper something to you. I enjoyed our walk through the park greatly as I bonded with other students from our group as we inhaled the delightful aromas offered by the various flowers growing everywhere. It was a truly romantic place that I would like to visit again in the future.

The cutest fountain ever!

Friday’s excursion was a truly memorable one that had left a deep impression in my mind; we went to see the Sagrada Familia. A cathedral mastered by Antonio Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia resonated with intricacy and profound beauty. Just the sight of this structure was enough to steal my breath away but when I entered its enchanted doors, I was simply dumbstruck. My knees began to tremble (no exaggeration) as I walked through the church. The word “Perfect” kept echoing in my mind as I admired the stained glass windows and perfectly chiseled stone spiraling stairways. We got to see Barcelona from the very top of the cathedral; we rode an elevator up to indulge in the incredible view. The week came to a satisfying and exhilarating close as we spent our Saturday at Isla Fantasia water park outside of Barcelona; sadly however, I couldn’t enjoy the last few days of the week to the fullest because I caught a cold during the week because of how quickly the weather began to change.

Sagrada Familia!

After two weeks of pure beauty, sun, and Barcelona heat, the city cooled down and it rained for several days during my third week in the city. However, it was only a cold and I was on my way to feeling as good as new…

Semana Numero Dos…

Park Guell view of Barcelona

After a relaxing and fully rejuvenating weekend of soaking up the Barcelona sun with my new friends from Holland and Germany, we were ready to tackle another week packed with language lessons as well as the cultural activities planned for us. Realizing that we were already in the second week of our European adventure, I couldn’t help but think of the saying:  “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

On Monday our group was joined by more foreign students from Germany, Holland, France, and Poland; I loved the interesting culmination of different cultures and background that was taking place. Not only was the Spanish-immersion experience teaching me more of the language every day, but my interactions with friends from Western Europe were helping me pick up some phrases in German as well. The air around our group was always thick with culture; with each direction I turned to, I heard new intonations and words that I didn’t understand. It motivated me to continue my pursuits in linguistics so that someday I too could join such interesting people in conversation.

Barcelona Stadium

With our new, now more diverse, group we attended our assigned classes before heading off to visit Barcelona Stadium, where we were able to view and appreciate futbol (soccer) history and marvel at the refined beauty of the grounds. Though I was never a big fan of professional sports, it was a piece of Spanish history that we couldn’t help but enjoy experiencing. Luckily, it was located only a short way from my host-family’s apartment; my friends and I walked home in only twenty minutes. That night, my host mom prepared paellas for cenar (a traditional Spanish dish for dinner); a food consisting of arroz mixed with pescado y carne. It was delicious and made me really appreciate the effort that our host-mom put into making sure that we experienced all that Spain had to offer.

Inside of the Stardium!

On Tuesday, the 12^th of July my Spanish class increased the level of difficulty a tad more. Rather than simply focusing on the more basic words and phrases, we were encouraged to incorporate practice with irregular verbs as we reviewed their conjugations. Again, since I was never formally educated in Spanish, the lesson made me anxious to do some self-studying so I could catch up in knowledge of irregular verbs. The classes really began to pay off though; my progress was clearly evident and even my host-mom commented on the fast pace of my improvement. Since everything at home was only said in Spanish and all classes were conducted in Spanish, it wasn’t a surprise that I began to understand a whole lot more after only one full week.

After class we watched the Titanic in Spanish to practice our comprehension in a more relaxed and fun way. On the next day we went through our usual schedule of classes before heading to the beach at Villa Olimpica and having a blast with our “beach games” activity. We were given the gear to play racquetball, badminton, or catch while also having the option of just relaxing on the sand or enjoying the refreshing feeling of swimming in the sea.  Being the athletic soul that I am, I tried a little bit of everything- And woke up sore the next day.

Next attraction on the list was one I had been looking forward to for quite some time: Parque Guell. A fantastical garden of architectural wonder, the buildings and mosaics to be found in this park designed by Catalan artist Antoni Gaudi is truly a sight to see. As someone that was always able to appreciate the beauty that is old European architecture, being able to stop and appreciate buildings so beautiful and unique will stay with me forever. What I loved most was the “incorrect” and story-like shapes that were incorporated into the rooftop designs of the buildings; they were like ocean waves frozen in time forever, standing with the sole purpose of sparking joy and wonder in the hearts of those that come to visit.

Beach at Villa Olimpica

As our cultural activity on Friday, we were taken on a bike tour of Barcelona! We got to really connect to the Spanish people by seeing their city from their perspective: one from atop a bicycle. Most Europeans seem to embrace the healthy and eco-friendly modes of transport by riding bikes from place to place and even utilizing s system of bike-rental as a form of public transportation. I was deeply impressed by the idea and immediately wondered why New Yorkers never adopted that. I loved the feeling of the ocean breeze brushing against my face in delightful combination with the Barcelona sun- It gave me a sense of freedom and adventure as I really saw Barcelona for the first time. The wonderfully creative little playgrounds designed for the city’s youngsters…people enjoying life by the beach, simply watching time go by while sitting on a bench…teenagers creating a culture by dressing their own way, bonding with friends while skating and blading in places they oughtn’t to be. We saw the truly soul of Spain while improving our fitness by peddling our way into enlightenment. I decided that the ride was my favorite activity we had experienced yet…

Hurling into Adventure

I’m ready for my trip to Barcelona!

I could not believe July had already arrived when my parents and I got in the car at nine in the morning to begin our four-hour drive to Washington D.C.; in but a few hours I was taking off to Frankfurt before transferring to Barcelona, my final destination.  With the adventure of a lifetime lying in wait ahead of me, I still felt the sensation that none of it was real. I half-expected to arrive at the airport in Washington D.C. only to be told that I had the wrong time and missed my flight or that my seat on the plane was sold to another blond girl going on an exchange program.

However, all my doubts were immediately cast aside when we checked in my baggage and received my boarding pass; at this point the idea gained a new sense of reality in my mind. An entire month in Barcelona… After having a quick last dinner with my parents, it was time for me to pass through security and enter the gates. We said our last goodbyes as my mother succumbed to her instincts, spewing the usual unnecessary advice: “Don’t talk to strangers! Always watch your bags!  Never walk into dark alleys…”, the usual parental wisdom.

As my plane to Frankfurt finally began to take off, I felt the smooth waves of the aircraft’s motion resonate with what I’d been feeling inside. It seemed to be a natural metaphor for my young life; climbing up a winding and snake-like rollercoaster, I knew that the potential energy of the cart was about to change into kinetic energy as I was hurled into a great adventure in Europe. (I had to use a physics reference…) Both flights were smooth and comfortable and before I knew it, I was with my Ayusa group in Barcelona, greeting Xabi at the airport. When I arrived at my new host-mom’s apartment, I experienced the minor shock that accompanies the sensation of entering a foreign country, only to realize that you don’t speak their language.  I hadn’t been able to take Spanish as a third language since the seventh grade- now I am a rising senior in high school. Initially intimidated by my lack of proficiency in the language, it soon became a motivator…Just room for more improvement than the other students… 

After the first day was over, things were much less awkward with my host-mom as we became more familiar with one another; I used all the Spanish I could muster from my memory to explain to her a little about who I was and where I came from. I quickly became used to the focus required to catch the general meaning of what my host had to say and so found myself understanding a great deal more than I knew how to say in Spanish. Every day we were to have breakfast and dinner with our host families; I looked forward to the delicious meals and warm company provided by my host-mom and new roommate, Bagdan, from Ukraine. 

The Gothic Square

After taking my placement test on the first day of classes, I was sorted in to the A 1.2 language level; considering the fact that I has not received formal education in Spanish in such a long time, I was satisfied with my placement and eager to begin improving my language skills. My schedule indicated that I would be in class at ABCHumbolt from 13:30 to 17:00 every day, de lunes a viernes. After class for the first week, Ayusa had an activity planned for our group for each day after school. On Monday, July 4^th, I went with the group to visit the Gothic Square, a very beautiful place in Barcelona filled with quaint little cafes and restaurants, along with old, impressive architecture.

 

A very old, impressive architecture

After spending some time reviewing basic grammar and vocabulary in class, we were taken to the beach at Villa Olimpica. I was sincerely stunned and surprised at the beautiful azure water, as well as impressed with the European people we saw there. Health and physical fitness has always a top priority for me and I respect others that realize the importance of exercise. After being accustomed to the American way of beach-going (bringing several bags of potato chips, a magazine to read as they eat, and getting some fries and burgers for lunch) I was pleasantly surprised to see nearly everyone at the beach engages in an intense game of beach volleyball, swimming, playing catch, passing around a soccer ball, or performing acrobatic feats right on the sand. 

A beautiful ancient castle in Montjuich

 

Everything seemed so alive, active, and beautiful- I began to wonder what else I’d been missing out on by not frequenting Europe. (And then I remembered how much more I liked the European sense of fashion…) The next day we watched the Hangover in Spanish; it only became more entertaining when all the jokes were translated into a foreign language. To conclude the fun-filled activities of the week, we got to play billiards with all our friends from around the world and went on an excursion to Montjuich, a beautiful ancient castle with walls that echo with the whispers of history.

 

Blog Entry #1

The exciting nature of youth lies in its unpredictability; to be young is to be flowing down a gushing stream, completely unaware of what truly awaits beyond the horizon. Right now, I feel as though my journey down the stream is about to reach a peak from which I will gain momentum as I rush over an edge, falling headfirst into a waterfall of opportunity and adventure. While I still continue to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for my month abroad in Barcelona, only a week of waiting remains before my anticipation comes to an abrupt halt as I will finally pick up my suitcase, meet my fellow Ayusa students, and soar on over to Europe.

Glancing at the calendar, my jaw drops, my mind freezes, my heart transfigures into the desperately anxious wings of a bird longing to shatter the iron bondage that has for so long kept it back, safe in a nest. With the exhilarating realization that I’m going to be leaving to Spain in almost no time comes the shock- I’ve not finished packing. Lying on the white leather couches of my sister’s new apartment in Los Angeles, I find myself a continent away from all my belongings in New York and the suitcase that I began to prepare for my trip to Spain. The slightest panic grips my heart at the thought that I left such an important task undone, but it eases; I’ll be returning home on the 28^th of June. That should give me plenty of time to organize all the clothes and provisions I had already laid aside to take to Spain as well as a chance to quadruple-check that I took everything I could possibly need.  Thinking over the list of things that I planned to take, I couldn’t help but begin to ponder the “big” life questions: Should I take my hair dryer? Will I need more nail polish remover? What if I need to trim off my dead ends while I’m overseas? My soul was truly conflicted. However, I knew most of these questions would eventually answer themselves, whether I liked the answer or not. At this point in time my hands are tied in terms of my ability to deal with the preparation of my physical possessions, but I could certainly prepare in other ways.

My goal for this program, as I explained to my sister last night, is to emerge from my month abroad as a better person than when I left home. I use the vague and subjective term “better” for a reason, for it can encompass more meaning as a person’s interpretation of the word evolves. Currently, that word from my perspective involves being happier with myself; to me, “better” means more educated, more culturally informed, and more generally understanding of people. I want to touch the lives of the members of my host family and all the people I meet on my adventures throughout Spain, forming bonds that will survive throughout the years. I want to absorb the melodic language being sung all around me and retain enough of it to be able to have a conversation with a native speaker. In addition, I want to learn more about myself and prove to myself that I can be as capable and mature as I expect of myself.

Perhaps it is a feeling produced by naivety, but I am overwhelmed with confidence when thinking of the journey ahead. I believe that there is nothing in life that is truly worth being afraid of as long as every decision is made with care and consideration; to truly and fully experience life is to take those chances that may initially seem intimidating. Most regrets come from the things we didn’t do when the opportunity presented itself. Keeping that in mind, my main goal for my first study abroad experience is to return home with absolutely no regrets. I plan to return home a “better” person and will do the utmost to prevent anything from getting in my way.

 

Why do I want to study abroad?

Engulfed and swallowed by an ever-bustling sea of unfamiliar faces, a young girl of barely sixteen rushes through the bustling crowd into the neon courtyard of Times Square. It’s just another day in the heart of New York City as she watches her breath dissolve into the humming air, and the wind chill paints her cheeks with blooming roses. The snow has covered the skeleton of a mighty tree, towering overhead, whispering with age-old wisdom, and its simplicity is strikingly beautiful. Witnessing this scene, I became aware of the life rushing around me, taking notice of the preoccupied expressions engraved onto the faces of my fellow human beings. In the racially and ethnically diverse metropolis of “the Big Apple”, one may bump into, trip over, or rush past individuals with cultural roots extending from all corners of the world. A wince conquers my features as I wonder why none of the hearts before me seem to have any interest in the world of their neighbors. Have these same thoughts crossed the minds of others?      

Growing up in a family of Russian immigrants, I have had the honor of living with a bilingual perspective and exceptionally open mind. Though born in the United States and raised to possess the freedom-loving spirit of America, I learned to appreciate all the unique ideas and traditions associated with Russian and Slavic culture. I came to understand the true beauty of diversity. With this perspective, all peoples became works of art, carefully crafted by the talented hands of History; each man became an abstract painting that could offer new meaning and insight into the workings of mankind. While I spent the majority of my life in New York City, exposed to dozens of foreign languages and cultures, time brought me to the conclusion that my purpose in life was to become a true citizen of the globe, a worldly and understanding person that would eventually succeed in serving her country with a career in international relations. From early childhood, my sole ambition in life was to travel and see all the beauty Earth had to offer; with age came the aspiration to contribute to the world I lived in, and to make it a better place. The major question that came with this decision hit me soon after: “Where do I begin?”

 I decided the first and most important step was to gain understanding; only by exposing and immersing myself in various foreign cultures could I ever hope to possess enough insight to understand people and create change. I developed a fervent yearning to study abroad. This driving desire led me to attend an International Peace Festival abroad in Artek, Ukraine, travel to the Dominican Republic to witness the impoverished but appreciative lifestyle of the natives, and educate myself in foreign languages. Studying abroad will widen my eyes with each new experience; it will help me learn enough to someday understand the sea of bustling faces that weave around me throughout my life.