I would like to hear from anyone who has been to Spain, or is from there? Especially Andalucia?

Question

I've always dreamt of visiting that country, and of course I've read loads of books and seen a lot of movies and I know all about the language, government, and history but nothing can take the place of talking to a real live person with experiences. I think I would I would really fall in love with Andalucia and finally I'm going to study there in a few months, but I am so scared because I don't know a soul there and I don't know how to behave in the culture.

Don't tell me I shouldn't go, I just want to be prepared to go, I've made up my mind but I would really appreciate advice about the culture and what to see or do. I'm going to be studying there so I won't have time to do anything except study until after I finish my studying, i would like to extend my stay for a few weeks. How do you make the most of only a little time there?

I mean this with all respect, but are people warm there? How do they view foreigners?

Answer 1

email me for details, but I don't think ANYONE on this site is going to tell you don't go.  You are going to have a blast!!!!!!!

I lived there almost thirty years ago.  It was my first foray out of the country on my own.  I was a student at the Universidad de Sevilla.  You will be on a program, right?  You will be with a whole bunch of people in exactly the same boat.  You will all bond very quickly.  

And you will NOT stand out.  One of my best friends, here, is from Madrid, and she and her sister are both pelirrojas.  There ARE redheads there.  (ok.  Not a lot, but you won't stand out that much.  One of my housemates, there was a redhead, too.)    

They are very much like your experience in Mexico.  The Spanish of Mexico come from Andalucía, largely, and the attitude, really comes from them.  They are warm, inviting, welcoming, and love people, and parties, and are very laid-back, especially about work.

I have to tell you, when I went to do some graduate work, and bragged to the head of the Spanish Department about my experience in Seville, he just looked at me, all of the potential respect seeped out of him, and he said, in the most condescending voice, Pues, no saben trabajar allí, son todos flojos.  Sólo saben hacer fiestas.  (or something to that effect, anyway.)  Madrileño.  No respect, whatsoever, for the Andaluces.  I had no idea an academic could be so nasty adn prejudicial!  (but you'll have sooooooo much fun!  I SO hope you are planning to take the full year!  You will miss so much if you come home after semester!  email me.  We can chat!)

Answer 2

sepa, no soy de españa