When I first saw Spain from inside the airplane, I noticed how dry and mountainesque it is. It was far from what I had pictured Spain to be geographically. At that moment, I realized that this whole experience, of being a Hispanic/Latino American in Spain would be far from what I expected.
Before I begin, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in Florida and raised in Long Island. My mom is Colombian and my father is Puerto Rican. If that wasn’t enough of a mix, my father is black and my mother is white. I am what some people call yellow, red, or light skinned black. When I first told my mother that I was going to be in Spain for five weeks, she immediately said, “Be careful, you know the Spaniards are racist.” I was truly expecting the worse from the Spaniards, but knowing my personality, I would never take something that anyone says or does too personal or serious, even if it may have a racial connotation. I have been really observant to see if I am treated differently, given dirty looks, or any other racially motivated behavior.
The truth is that in every country there are more or less the same personalities; the socialites, the introverts, the jocks, the nerds, the open-minded, and the closed-minded. I must say that I have yet to experience or witness any kind of arrogant behavior. I am currently in a town called Salamanca and it is located in north-west Spain, close to Portugal. The people here are really laid back and the majority of the people I see are more or less the same age as I am.
The University of Salamanca, the college that we are currently attending, is the first college in Europe to gain the “University” title and one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. I have had a few short conversations with the locals and when I ask them if it bothers them that there are so many young people running around clubbing, drinking, and smoking at night, they simply respond, “Everyone knows this town has a very large college, so everyone knows what to expect when they decide to live here.
These minor altercations have led me to the conclusion that I am somewhat protected by what some may call the “Academic bubble.” This town is predominantly college students and a significant part of the student body is made up of international students. The college is diverse with people from all different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Hence, the locals are more accustomed to foreigners. Thus, making them more tolerant of an American of Hispanic decent such as myself.
I have yet to encounter anything extremely negative or racially/ethnically biased here in Salamanca. However, I have only been here a week and I also plan on traveling to other major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Through this blog I will attempt to analyze and examine the relationship between Spain and Latin America, the views and behavior of the Spaniards toward Latinos in general, as well as describe the many behavioral and cultural differences. I will also be in Rome, Italy in October and Paris, France in November. I will be sure to continue my study and conquest for knowledge while all over the European continent. Stay Tuned.
When I first saw Spain from inside the airplane, I noticed how dry and mountainesque it is. It was far from what I had pictured Spain to be geographically. At that moment, I realized that this whole experience, of being a Hispanic/Latino American in Spain would be far from what I expected.
Before I begin, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in Florida and raised in Long Island. My mom is Colombian and my father is Puerto Rican. If that wasn’t enough of a mix, my father is black and my mother is white. I am what some people call yellow, red, or light skinned black. When I first told my mother that I was going to be in Spain for five weeks, she immediately said, “Be careful, you know the Spaniards are racist.” I was truly expecting the worse from the Spaniards, but knowing my personality, I would never take something that anyone says or does too personal or serious, even if it may have a racial connotation. I have been really observant to see if I am treated differently, given dirty looks, or any other racially motivated behavior.
The truth is that in every country there are more or less the same personalities; the socialites, the introverts, the jocks, the nerds, the open-minded, and the closed-minded. I must say that I have yet to experience or witness any kind of arrogant behavior. I am currently in a town called Salamanca and it is located in north-west Spain, close to Portugal. The people here are really laid back and the majority of the people I see are more or less the same age as I am.
The University of Salamanca, the college that we are currently attending, is the first college in Europe to gain the “University” title and one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. I have had a few short conversations with the locals and when I ask them if it bothers them that there are so many young people running around clubbing, drinking, and smoking at night, they simply respond, “Everyone knows this town has a very large college, so everyone knows what to expect when they decide to live here.
These minor altercations have led me to the conclusion that I am somewhat protected by what some may call the “Academic bubble.” This town is predominantly college students and a significant part of the student body is made up of international students. The college is diverse with people from all different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Hence, the locals are more accustomed to foreigners. Thus, making them more tolerant of an American of Hispanic decent such as myself.
I have yet to encounter anything extremely negative or racially/ethnically biased here in Salamanca. However, I have only been here a week and I also plan on traveling to other major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Through this blog I will attempt to analyze and examine the relationship between Spain and Latin America, the views and behavior of the Spaniards toward Latinos in general, as well as describe the many behavioral and cultural differences. I will also be in Rome, Italy in October and Paris, France in November. I will be sure to continue my study and conquest for knowledge while all over the European continent. Stay Tuned.
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