The Iberian Experience: Part II

No me gusta

So I am sick, as is the majority if not all of the program, professors, and our host families. I think something is going around Spain and due to intense partying on the weekends, I may just have a weakened immune system. I am feeling feverish and my body temperature is volatile with a headache, runny nose, watery eyes, swollen and tender lymph nodes, and a slight cough. Any Web MD scholars or future doctors/nurses have any advice? Unlike back at the states, one can pick up most prescription drugs at the local farmacia (thanks to socialist medicine?), so give me the cocktail of choice and I'll throw capitalism in the wind.

Keeping Myself Busy

Classes are all in Spanish and they range in difficulty solely based on whether or not the professors want to slow down when he or she speaks. Due to my lackluster Spanish capabilities, I am also taking Spanish Conversation and Composition, however, with only one other student. That is fine by me; I have never received as much attention in a Spanish class as I do now. Perhaps I’ll come back fluent after all.

My internship that I also begin this week is at the Sport and Cooperation Network (http://www.redeporte.org/quien_en.html) an NGO that "promote sports and physical education countries as a social integration tool both in developing countries, the United States and in Spain." As you may know, as an IR student looking for an IR career, international experience is gold, so I am excited.

Obama and the Kennedys at AU? Tight.

BTW, my laptop/hard drive is fixed and all my information was salvaged. I am so damn relieved but I need to find a means to back it up, just in case it happens again.

I just finished my first in depth conversation with my host parents (actually, it was them talking and me saying "Sí" most of the time) on the topics of Spanish presidential elections, the Spanish party system, United States Democratic primaries, and my political affiliation.

I was just handed a cup of tea consisting of garlic, onion, and tomato as a home remedy for my illness I don't know, but it isn't as bad as it sounds.

I am feeling a little bit woozy so I think I'm going to call it a night.

¡Hasta Luego!

Chris

Coming Soon

• Future travel plans
• More notes on cultural adaptation
• Posting pictures at changbang.smugmug.com
• International drunk dialing

PS: Go Giants.

Edit: Using the Spanish version of Blogger is ridiculous.