The Year Abroad Tag

After being home for a few days I decided to reflect on my time abroad. I saw this tag in a YouTube video before I came to Spain and as I was looking through my photos I saw the screenshot I took of the questions and so decided to write a post on it.

1. Most memorable moment/ encounter with a native person?

When I spent about an hour or so talking to two Spanish people. Despite being drunk, they understood everything I said and it was probably the most amount of Spanish I had spoken in one go. 

2. Proudest moment speaking the language?

When in Alicante Airport the guy in the shop responded in Spanish, which probably isn't the greatest achievement ever, but they'd always spoken in English despite me speaking Spanish and it was nice when they finally replied in Spanish. 

3. Biggest culture shock?

Definitely the lack of urgency Spanish people have when I'm used to having something done when I want but Spanish people don't rush anything and nothing is so important that it can't wait until tomorrow. 

4. Favourite aspect of the foreign culture?

How friendly everyone is when they see you and greet you. After a long weekend they greet you like they haven't seen you in ages and they're generally very friendly and chatty. 

5. Best memory?

My last class with my E12 group a it was lovely that they said they'd miss me and they had all enjoyed me teaching them as it made me realise I did actually make a difference which is a great feeling. 

6. What did you miss most about home? (not including people/places)

The fact that people respect your personal space in England. You don't need to be stood an inch away from my face when you're speaking and you definitely don't need to keep touching my arm during a conversation. 

7. Best night out?

Either the night when my two friends came to visit from home which was hilarious or the night I went to watch Valencia play Barcelona as I've always wanted to watch Barcelona play and it was a really good game and atmosphere, plus Barcelona which only about 20 away fans and myself were happy about. 

8. Most memorable plate of food/ food discovered?

Food definitely has to be Patatas Bravas which even though it's not the most exciting food, as a vegetarian I can't eat a lot of famous Spanish food and the massive plate I got in Sevilla was the most memorable food I've had here. 

9. Favourite photo?

This one from when my two friends came to visit as it was the happiest I've been while been here and it was so great having them in Valencia with me. 

Or if I'm cheating, this one from Take That which I technically saw whilst on my year abroad even if I returned to England to watch them, plus they were absolutely fantastic and I couldn't not mention them. 

10. Number one piece of personal character development?

Probably confidence and independence as I've managed to live without my family and not die and I've successfully dealt with Spanish bureaucracy and kept teenagers under control in the classroom.