#usavsspain

[swifterharmony]

Lmao Rose got megged by a Spain player right after Tobin goes off the irony

[swifterharmony]

Ahh Tobin’s been subbed off. Slightly more bored but still a good game!

[pickmash]

Olympic Sailing: Teams from USA and Spain

[upupandabroad-blog1]

[Spain vs. USA] Education

In my two months here in Spain, I’ve come to discover some big differences between life in the United States and la vida Granadina. Some differences have been interesting, others downright frustrating, but for the most part, they’ve been refreshing. Let me start with one of the more challenging aspects:

The Spanish Education System

Back at Brown, our open curriculum allows us to take any class in any department and our classmates vary substantially depending on the classes we choose. Here in Spain, students chose their carrera fresh out of high school and take coursework in that subject for their entire college career. As such, all my Spanish classmates in my upper level courses have been with each other for a couple years, making it more difficult for exchange students like me to break into some long formed social circles. 

Choosing classes at the University of Granada was initially pretty challenging since each facultad operates independently with its own building, scheduling system, enrolling process and website. Now that I’m enrolled, I have access to a handful of online systems (similarly difficult to navigate) where professors upload information about the course/assignments. At Brown, information was much easier to access as all departments’ classes were available on Banner and everyone used the same online platform. Not to mention Brown’s departments aren’t divided across the entire city like the UGR is. 

From what I’ve experienced, learning in Spain is more of an independent process. What you learn, you usually learn on your own or through group work. To be honest, I’m not always sure what my homework is or when things are due since reading is usually suggested/optional. Meanwhile in the States classes tend to have a set agenda and students know what to read for what date and what deadlines to follow for the semester. 

Spanish students are graded on a scale from 1-10 (5=passing) and for each 10 received they get a class paid for their next semester. 

Speaking of money, going to a Spanish university is upsettingly cheap compared to what American students have to pay in the States $$$$$$☹

Unlike at Brown where we have weekly lectures, my UGR classes haven’t focused too heavily on developing relevant themes and content. For the most part students themselves have been responsible for sharing content/information with the class via presentations and reports. Not that all classes are like this, but oddly enough all of mine have been.

And of course, there’s the fact that my classes here ALWAYS start 10-15 minutes late and tend to end 30 minutes early. But that’s something I’m not complaining about at all haha.

All in all, as a American student from (untraditional) Brown University, I honestly feel like I’ve taken all that I’m used to in an academic environment and turned it completely on its head. I’m not gonna lie, it’s been one hell of a transition. But as challenging as it has been adapting, I feel like everything is slowly coming together. Now all that’s left to overcome is passing my classes...

[materele]

Not the best resolution, but come on!!! Last game against Spain for the 9th place! 💪 #usavsspain #starwars #waterwayfins #uwr #cali2015 #uwrcali2015 #19 #usanationalteam (at Piscinas Alberto Galindo)