Having a Ribbit-ing Time in Salamanca
It was my first night exploring Salamanca when my roommate and I decided to walk around the old part of Salamanca near the Plaza Mayor. We stumbled upon the old Universidad de Salamanca where we got to play an ancient version of Where’s Waldo. The University of Salamanca’s mascot is a frog due to the legend of the frog in the university façade. The legend goes that if you find the frog (who sits atop a skull) on your own you get good fortune for the school year and you will pass all of your classes, however if someone helps you find the frog you will have to study for your exams. This legend was recounted to us by a local man who just happened upon us and asked if we knew anything about the old university. That’s how I’ve found people in Spain: very friendly and willing to help tourists learn about their city. Especially my host parents, who encouraged me and my roommate to go explore the city after dinner.
During the first few weeks of my program I met so many new people and tried so many new things, like Iberian ham. Iberian ham is a type of ham typically found in Spain and it’s special because the pigs only eat acorns for most of the year, so not only is it delicious but it’s good for you too!! My host father works on a ranch that raises the pigs for the jamon and the bulls for bullfighting and running, so we have a whole leg of Iberian ham in our kitchen that we can eat whenever we want! I learned that there’s a sport called bull jumping where very brave people do flips over bulls, it’s like the running of the bulls but with jumping! In my Spanish Culture class we talked about the bull jumping and that the running of the bulls isn’t just in one spot in Spain, it happens in most towns at different times of the year. I’ve found my teachers to be really fun and kind, like my teachers at Salve but in a different language! I’ve only been here for a little while and I am already planning my return trip to Spain when my program is done!
I love Salamanca so far and I’m sure I will continue to fall in love with this beautiful and historic city. I’ve already had so many adventures and learned new things that I could never have dreamed of if I hadn’t stepped outside of my comfort zone and traveled to a new country. I recommend anyone who’s looking to study abroad to go for it because this is already one of the best experiences of my life and I can’t wait to make more memories. Viva Salamanca!
Eliana K. is studying Psychology and Spanish and studying abroad at International Studies Abroad in Salamanca, Spain. She hopes to become fluent so she can provide psychological help to Spanish-speakers in the United States.
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