Assimilation and Appreciation with the End in Sight - December 18, 2011:

           We began our final module this past Monday. It's another intensive program, similar to the one that began my semester here. For ten days straight, we study alternative dispute resolution from 10:30am to 6:30pm. It's an interesting module, but the biggest change - for me, at least - is that all six professors for this module are American. It's precarious to explain, but there is a surprising comfort to having professors from my home country back in front of my classroom. A large part is likely the language, but there are a variety of other differences between my US educational experience and my educational experience in this program at Deusto. But besides Deusto, I've never studied outside the US, so its hard for me to know the exact cause of these struggles. Regardless, I've found these ADR classes engaging, interactive and educational. Many of my classmates have excitedly asked me if all classes in the US are like this. I've replied honestly and told them no. These classes are much more interactive than the usual standard and these professors are probably more skilled than the average American professor. However, I do find this work more similar to American law school than the traditional lectures we have mostly had in this program. It's left me wondering how much of education is culturally based.

           Among the hecticness of the marathon of another intensive program, we have officially started our countdown to departure. In less than a week, I'll be back in the States, in Las Vegas celebrating Christmas with my brother, sister in law and brand new niece. As could have been predicted, everything seems much lovelier now that I'm leaving so soon. Multiple times I've found myself saying Why didn't I find this place until now?? But I think it's a combined result of the relief of returning home, and the fact that after four months here, I'm finally accustomed enough to actually feel like Bilbao is home. In fact, there many things I've been saying or feeling lately that make me think Whoa... maybe I've been here too long. For example, the other day a dime fell out of my purse and I immediately thought ohhhh, how cute!!! A dime! ... Similarly, Jessica and I were talking about 1 and 2 euro coins, and how when we are home, it will be nice to know that your change isn't really worth a whole lot. Jess said to me "Yeah, I mean, if you have 8 coins in the States, the most you could really have is $4, where as here you could have 16 euros." ... "Jess," I gently replied, "with 8 coins in the states, you could really only have $2." Jess had forgotten the value of a quarter.

More examples of this assimilation include:

-When I bump into someone on the street, I feel no need to apologize.

-When I look at other people's clothes, I can recognize this winter's and this past fall's Desigual and Zara pieces.

-I was actually slightly offended when a Mexican friend who works at the cupcake shop Jess and I frequent used the "ustedes" form to refer to us.

-The other day, when speaking English, I pointed out the "lights blue" rather than the "blue lights".

-The thought of seeing signs in one language seems boring.

-I'm totally comfortable not tipping.

-When I make rice, I add olive oil.

And two more illustrated in picture format:

This tall latte from the Starbucks in Barcelona seemed HUGE to me. I could only finish 1/3 of it.

I'm totally comfortable drinking before noon

Leaving definitely brings a whole mix of feelings. There are many things here I will honestly miss. But, ultimately, I'm really happy that soon I will be in San Francisco with my family and friends, where I can spend that dime rather than admire it's cuteness.