Arrival: Viva Alicante. (GT Ambassador Zak S.)

Arrival: Viva Alicante.

The time has come! I have finally settled into the new place I will call home for the semester. After another long night in Madrid and one more endless bus ride, our USAC group pulled up to la Plaza de Luceros only to meet our landlords and new host families. I told myself I would study my Spanish notes from previous classes all winter break leading up to going abroad, but listening to Michel Teló, Belanova, Fonseca, and some other Spanish artists provided my only practice before heavily conversing with my new family. Eeek! However, at my first take, I surprised myself at how well I communicated.

When everyone’s luggage was pulled off the bus, I was the last student to be introduced to my host mom and sister, Pilar and Sandra. Pilar works for a little shop in downtown Alicante, and Sandra works as a dentist’s assistant in Alicante as well. We exchanged “besos,” a typical custom in Spain when meeting or greeting someone, and they helped haul my luggage to their apartment. The first thing I did upon arrival was get a quick tour of their place, then unpack my huge suitcase I had been living out of in Madrid. After arriving and being shown where I could put all my belongings and toiletries, I called it an early night to get ready for orientation the next day.

Still not used to the time difference, I woke up at the crack of dawn and Pilar walked me to the plaza and showed me where I could catch the bus to the University of Alicante. Our program directors gave us a quick walking tour of the university, which used to be home to an airbase. We read through packets and packets of information and took our Spanish placement tests, which I had been very nervous about! There were many similar faces of whom I met in Madrid, but also many new people I was hoping to get to know better.

Part of my full, initial day included a group trip to el Castillo de Santa Barbara, one of the largest medieval fortresses in all of Europe. The castle covers the complete summit of the Benacantil Mountain and was originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, influenced much by the nearby continent of Africa. The castle received its name from the conquest of King Alfonse the Wise that took place on 4th December 1248: Saint Barbara’s day. The castle seems to be the highlight and main point of interest in Alicante, with great 360 degree views!

After a few days of exploration, some fellow American students and I were anxious to discover the nightlife of Alicante. We made it to a couple discotecas and unique restaurants, but one thing we realized we were going to need to get used to is the hour people go out until. In Spain, it is very common for places to not even open until 3:00 AM, right when things start to close in the states! However, I was happy to see a good friend of mine from high school who had been studying in Spain, and a few other mutual friends my first night out in the town.

Another big part of the culture in Spain is fútbol, or soccer. In Alicante there is a Hércules CF, a team that is in the Segunda Division but hope to return to La Liga after this season, where well known teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona play. I was fortunate to experience my first professional soccer match between Hércules and SD Huesca, where Samuel and Tote netted a goal a piece to give the home team a victory. Besides the ever-so popular fútbol another highlight is the Explanada, a hallmark and symbol of tourism in the city of Alicante. The mosaic tiles stretch for many blocks aside the Mediterranean port, and are home to many street vendors and crowds! Overall, my Spanish life is definitely one in the making, but once I am fully accustomed and become used to the native language, I am confident I will want my stay to be longer than a semester. Hasta pronto.

-Zak S.