Spanish exchange students from the city of Huesca came to Masco to experience the life of an American student, while simultaneously showing off their own background and traditions.
Students living in the city located in the Northeast region of Aragon have a slightly different relationship with school compared to those in the United States. In Huesca, school is strictly for taking classes.
“We wake up at 7:00 am, and then we stay in the school from 8:15 to 2:15,” said sophomore Carlota. “The most popular time to eat is like, 3:00 pm, and it is very popular to have a siesta.”
Siestas are a midday or afternoon nap, typically taken after eating a meal. Students in Huesca don’t have a main meal in the middle of the day. Instead, meals are lighter during school hours, and more substantial dishes are prepared at home.
“The homemade croquettes that my grandma makes are good,” said Carlota.
Sports and other extracurricular activities are conducted off campus in Huesca, as opposed to being school-run. Students tend to go to tutors after school in order to hone their skills in specific subjects.
“The activities we have are in different places,” said sophomore Natalia. “We do all the activities outside of school.”
Some of these out-of-school hobbies include swimming, dancing, and playing tennis. However, when it comes to out-of-school traditions, none are as revered as “La Semana Blanca”, or White Week. This is a holiday for students at Huesca, where they enjoy their weekend skiing with their friends.
“We don’t go to school, and we go skiing,” said sophomore Julia.
When asked about cultural differences between Spain and the United States, students pointed out that America’s laws for young adults seemed inconsistent.
“Teenagers here drive at 16 years, but in Spain you must be 18,” said sophomore Guillermo. “How can you be able to drive at 16, but not drink until you are 21?”
When asked about popular music in Spain, the students mentioned reggaeton reigned supreme for music that is well known among teenagers, with the song “Comernos” being particularly popular. Aside from reggaeton, many also listen to international artists like Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott.
“My favorite reggaeton singers are Anuel, Bad Bunny, and Oussi-R,” said sophomore Andrea.
While enjoying their time in America, the exchange students also experienced some American food staples. Raising Cane’s was the general favorite among the students, although they believed it did not hold a candle to the type of meals they ate on a regular basis in Spain.
Beyond the meals and music, the Huesca students picked up on differences in day-to-day culture. Many of the students were taken aback by how polite and welcoming people were compared to their home country, especially in school settings.
“You guys respect everything a lot more,” said sophomore Natalie.
As their visit came to an end, both groups left with a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures that might just last an ocean away.