March 20, 2011 - 4:37pm
Adventures Abroad: Studying students in Spain
BY LARA ZADE
After three weeks of classes at the University of Granada, my observations of the student body have led me to one realization: Spanish university students are virtually the same as American students, but a larger percentage opt to don mullets--at least at UGR. They check their Facebook and Tuenti (the Spanish equivalent of Facebook) accounts and send e-mails during class, discuss sports (fútbol, not football) before lecture begins and cram for exams.
Of course, I have come to realize more insights in addition to my observations of the student body, and the fact that professors speak Spanish, and are not likely to understand English.
Like many monuments in Granada, UGR is a testament to the city´s rich cultural history that has Islamic, Christian and Jewish roots. UGR was founded in 1531 by King Charles V. But, Granada´s first university, known as the Madrasah of Granada, was established in 1349 by Sultan Yusef I, and was absorbed by the Catholic monarchy at the end of the 15th century. During the process of absorption, the Madrasah´s library happened to be destroyed in a fire, damaging much of the written legacy of the city´s Moorish culture. (No wonder the closest thing UGR has to a mascot happens to be the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchy).
Today, UGR has seven campuses located in various parts of the city. More than 70,000 students are enrolled and take classes pertaining to 75 degrees. UGR is top ranked among European and Spanish universities, which explains its large percentage of international students: 10 percent of undergraduate students and 30 percent of graduate students come from international universities. On any given day, I´ll hear up to three different languages being spoken in the halls.
I take two history classes at UGR which belong to the faculty of Filosofía y Letras (UGR´s LSA). Filosofía y Letras is part of UGR´s Campus Universitario de La Cartuja (Cartuja Campus), which is located high up in the hills of the eastern part of the city. Though I have a 45-minute, uphill, sweat-inducing walk from my apartment to class, the views of the city, which are almost comparable to those from the Alhambra, from the Cartuja Campus make it worthwhile. Nothing beats relaxing after class, bocadillo (baguette sandwich) in-hand, looking out over Granada´s historical and urban expanse--something I´m truly going to miss.
In some ways, Spanish students have it easy. Tuition is free for public universities in Spain (meanwhile, in Michigan, the Promise Scholarship is revoked). Not to mention, most classes require coursepacks--not books--which usually cost no more than the equivalent of about $5.00.
In addition, UGR´s cafeterias trump those of the University, hands down. The cafeteria in Filosofía y Letras has a bar stocked with local beer and wine and made-to-order sandwiches and omelets. The menu del día (hot lunch) comes complete with a three-part meal, including fresh bread and water, and sit-down service in the main dining room for 4.20 euros (less than $6.00). This was the first time I decided to touch cafeteria food since freshman year.
But, regardless of the perks, I do find myself missing some of the conveniences of the University back home, namely the Fish Bowl. Libraries here are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., only Monday through Friday, and, at most, have about 25 computers (with time limits). Though Iḿ stuck in a rare situation with a broken laptop, I think everyone would benefit from a Fish Bowl.
Overall, though, my experience as a foreign-exchange student has been a good one. The students, staff and faculty are friendly and welcoming. When I can´t understand what my heavily-Andalusian-accented, full-bearded professor says, the Spanish student sitting next to me is quick to share his or her notes. As a result, I have definitely come to respect international students back home.
