Pirates of CÁDIZ: At Europe’s End

Okay, so we weren’t really PIRATES of Cádiz, but yesterday we were at the end of Europe. 

Arguably the oldest, inhabited city in all of Iberia, Cádiz was originally named Gadir (meaning “Wall”) by the Phoenicians.  The CIEE program took us on a day trip to Southern Spain to see this Peninsula.

After some two hours on a coach bus, we were greeted by the warm southern weather and salty smells of the Atlantic Ocean.  Our group kinda lucked out experiencing 65-70 degree weather in mid-February (rare for this time in Spain).  Not only did we explore the city, but we had a chance to TAN on the miles and miles of beaches Cádiz is popularly known for. 

My favorite part of the trip was visiting the local Mercado (market) in the town’s Centro (center; downtown).  Straight out of a scene in a Bollywood movie, el Mercado had stands of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. (Yes, FISH…check out the pictures below). We also climbed to the top of another Catedral (it’s legit become a weekly workout), admired the decorations being set up for el Carnival de Cádiz (a Carnival/festival held in March that makes Little 5 and Unofficial look like child’s play), and bargained with a few street vendors…just to improve our Spanish.

HI DAD! You would've LOVED this place!

Cádiz is also home to a unique Botanical Garden, full of plant life from all over the world.  A few of us had a great time exploring the greenery (check out more fun pictures).

On the Sleepless en Sevilla front, I had a great night with MF, her intercambio Carmen and some of Carmen’s friends. We had a delicious (and filling) dinner in el Centro with great conversation in Spanish. MF and I suspected one of Carmen’s out-of-town friends was crushing on her best friend, Isabel, as we watched the poor guy make pass after pass to grab the girl’s attention. It’s quite entertaining to watch a guy try so hard! But nonetheless, we were really pulling for Carlos!

Afterwards, the group of us headed over to Calle Betiz (the center of nightlife in Sevilla) for some Flamenco dancing! Though MF and I struggled to keep up with the rest of the gang, it was a very fun experience…taking me back to the days of SHS when Bollywood dancing was part of my daily routine. I miss that constant cultural incorporation and am partaking in FREE Salsa lessons, twice a week, to fill that void.

This awesome weekend is followed by homework and readings for this week’s classes.  BUT only FOUR days stand between me and MADRID next weekend. I can definitely get used to hopping from city to city every weekend! ;)

First Daze of School

Remember that feeling you got, on the first day of high school? Scared, nervous, not knowing what to expect.  Would you make friends, or be an outcast? Would you find all of your classes on time? Would the professor label you as “that kid” without giving you a chance to prove yourself?

You may not admit it, but I’m pretty sure we’ve all gone through the same experience on that first day. Lucky for me, I was able to relive it once again. 

This past Monday, the students in my program began the first day of core classes. Now, you may be thinking, what has she been doing in Spain for the past two weeks? The program is structured in such a way that students MUST take a 10-day intensive Spanish course, to bring them up to speed at the University’s teaching level.  After this three credit class is completed, students start their major classes and attend them until the end of the semester…like any university back home.

Like the other students, I arrived to FCEYE (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales or the Business School for short) a half hour before my first class.  Not quite sure of where my classroom was I was relieved to see VT, AV and NB, fellow Kelleys.  Coincidentally, we were all in the same class; NB had had a class earlier that morning, so she knew the lay of the land.

European Corporate Organizations – a management class required for graduation at Kelley – was led by Adolfo, a well-dressed and well-spoken Professor, Director and Consultant.  The class itself was very interesting, as we analyzed different styles of management in companies based out of both Spain and the United States.  The best part: the class is centered on movies and documentaries (i.e.: The Godfather) to spur up conversation and debate.

Services management – a requirement for my International Business Major – was taught by a corky old, bald man with a five word name that I can’t seem to remember at the moment. Within the first 30 seconds, he taught us the difference between “Yo comprendo” and “Yo entiendo” (when said by a male).  The first meaning “I understand” and the second “I am gay.”  His jokes quickly resonated with many of the students.  As the class progressed, we found out that this Professor was no ordinary professor, but rather a real big hot shot in the business and academic world.  Monday night, he was to have dinner with the owner of the Betiz Futbol team (if you know anything about Spanish Soccer, you know this is a BIG deal).  He also mentioned his best friend was the Number 1 guy for McDonalds Europe (who will also be speaking to us in class in the near future!!!). AWESOME.

On Mondays, I am in the unfortunate position of running from the business school (more like brisk walking) to the CIEE center, for my internship class (a 30 minute walk that I’m given 25 minutes to complete).  Thank God Stevenson High School prepared me for this very moment.  For four years I had mastered the art of getting from the 2000s in the Old Building to the corners of the 8000s in the New Building.  I was able to get to the center in about 21 minutes, NBD.

Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have ONE class (love my life) from 3-430PM.  On these days, I will be interning with Vorsevi for some five to six hours and then attending class.  International Trade and Finance is equivalent to a Finance 400-level class back at Kelley. DEATH! I was so worried before that class.  But as the universe would have it, it ended up being my favorite class of the bunch.  Professor Jose Luis Jimenez Caballo (I only remember his name because I just received an email from him) came off as "that teacher" (no offense).  Strict posture, stern face and judging demeanor he asked each and every one of us why we chose his class.  I think I hit a note when I said that I was very interested in learning about stocks, the exchanges and hedging, because Professor Cabello’s eyes lit up.  I didn’t know what I had done, but I rolled with it.  The class’s discussion revolved around the current economic crisis and the role of banks.  We even took our first quiz (Finance in Spain = difficult). 

Overall, a great first and second day. I’m sure my future posts won’t be as positive…as the homework starts piling up.