The Zaragoza Experience

Tales from Old Zaragoza

Louis wrote this on his return from Zaragoza:

I write this account with shameless explicitness of my emotions, in the hope that, perhaps, I am not the only one to have fallen in love with Spain…
The Spanish exchange of 2008 was a time of change, primarily, for me. My feelings towards the entire process changed, as time progressed: from apprehension of leaving, into a reluctance to return; my opinions of the people: from confusing, to exciting, to quirky; to wonderful.
By the end of the week, despite my previous, adamant belief that I could be an exception to the tradition, I did not want to leave.
On arriving, all of us were probably a little too overwhelmed, by fatigue, from the journey and nerves, of being in this alien place, to take-in just how beautiful the city was. Without even mentioning the people, the place grew on me, uncontrollably, and I became absorbed into the welcoming, fun-loving atmosphere and culture the city and its inhabitants possessed and the genuine warmth that seemed to radiate from the place itself.
Our buddies were almost all perfect matches to our personalities – from hobbies to idiosyncratic tendencies: I couldn’t have imagined a more welcoming group of people if I had tried – the relationships formed were so close that they could have passed-off as lifelong friendships to any oblivious passerby. I remember one thing that really summed-up how considerate and caring the Spanish are, in comparison to Brits: my buddy, Victor, asked me, when preparing my ‘bocadillo de queso’, in the morning, which piece of the bread I preferred: the end piece, or somewhere from the middle. I don’t know why the tiny gesture stood-out to me, but it really defined the hospitality I was subject to, all week. Our partners were also exceptionally solicitous, but not to such an extent to make us feel suffocated: something I really appreciated and a favour I hope to return when the group visit us, in a long, long, long five months.
I recall little of the beautiful surroundings, or the exciting events, because I, personally, became so transfixed by the people.
I fell in love, literally, with almost all of the group; not in a sexual or romantic way: I did not necessarily want to be with any of them in that sense: I loved what they were; how they interacted and lived, every day.
I want to live in España! My family and friends were the only things I missed and I recommend any reader from Fairfield to follow suit if the opportunity arises, because they will not regret it; neither the experience, nor, definitely, the monumental language-learning benefit that comes with it.
Venid a Inglaterra, amigos de España!

Louis Provis

Our Zaragoza partners left a fantastic impression wherever they went with their intelligence, warmth and vitality and they will be very much missed. Indeed, many promises of return visits are already being made.

And as they were leaving, Pili wrote:

Right now I’m packing my suitcase for leaving England after a short and amazing week; and it is strange because I don’t know how I can start and how to do it because I feel that what I really want to keep with me can’t enter in my bag, although I push and push. This is because what I really need to pack are lots of places, people and fantastic moments I have lived in this beautiful country and that I feel I will lose them if I go, but, do I have a choice? ...

The first time the British students came to Zaragoza it was very strange and uncomfortable because nobody knew each other. Obviously at the end of the week in Spain we couldn’t stop giving hugs and kisses between us. How? I don’t know, I continue thinking and asking myself how two groups from different countries can connect so quickly and in a so intensive way. This love between us cost a lot of tears the day that our friends were leaving to come back to the UK. This is making me really afraid about what is going to happen the day when we will really say good-bye…forever.

All our English partners and their families have been so sweet and affectionate that we all felt as in our own homes. I need to add that I turned 16 here and Katherine, my partner, organised no less than a big and fabulous party in her house to celebrate it. I nearly don’t have that in Spain so imagine what it was for me to celebrate my birthday with all my Spanish and English friends in a big house full of delicious food and excellent music. The British students at school also congratulated me for my birthday and gave me hugs… without really knowing me! So now I am doubting if it is true that the Spanish people are more open and sociable than the British people. I felt really loved and some of my English friends gave me thoughtful presents that I felt really touched by; it is not because of the objects, it is because these presents have a very sentimental importance to me.

I just don’t want to leave, we have smiled, laughed and obviously spoken English more than ever; and for most of us, I am pretty sure that this has been one of the best weeks of our lives. Thank you to Katherine, Lily, Meg (the names of the students of the exchange, just the British ones)…for opening the doors of your houses, taking care of all of us so well and for making all the happy moments we’ve lived true. That I will keep in my memory for the rest of my life.

For lots more photos of the amazing Zaragoza experience, click here!