Defying (and proving) Spanish Stereotypes

Stereotype 1: Spanish laziness

Not true, at least at my school!!! The teachers here work long hours and have lots of responsibility. In preschool, the ratio is about 18:1. The school day is from 9:30-5:15 and although we have breaks throughout the day, it is exhausting. Teachers also have conferences with the parents of their students 3 TIMES a YEAR! That's about 60 conferences a year, much more than most American teachers I know. Sometimes the conferences are during lunchtime, or teachers have to stay after school. It is nice being in a school where communication between parents and teachers is a top priority. But wow, that's a lot of conferences.

Stereotype 2: Catalan nationalism

Some people have the stereotype that Catalan people are very nationalistic about their culture.  They speak Catalan to piss of Spanish speakers, they are very pro-independence, they hate Madrid, etc. etc. But I've met an array of Catalan people with an array of opinions on the matter. Some would like independence, but do not consider Catalonia its own country. This is FC Barcelona's manager's point of view (I sense tongue and cheek). Some people in the region prefer to speak Castellano as, perhaps, their parents are from another part of Spain. In this case, some people who live here may not have much of a Catalan identity.  I have hear many different opinions on this topic, all very interesting and eye-opening. I look forward to learning more about Catalunya, and other regions of Spain.

Stereotype 3: Spanish food.

TRUE!!! I don't think I've had one bad meal here.  The food here is sensational.  I'm not always sure if I'm eating Spanish or Catalan cuisine, but if the food is prepared here its bound to be good.  Makes me wonder about SF food.  San Francisco is a big restaurant town, but man oh man I think Spain is just athat takes its food very seriously.  Here at school, a Catalan custom is to say "bon apetit" to everyone when you enter the lunch room. In Catalan its "ca profiti" or "bon profit". Everyone responds with "Gracias, igualmen".  I think this is a good indication that dining is a main part of life here. Just the way I like it!

FYI: Francisco Franco ruled Spain until his death in 1975.  During his reign, languages such as Basque, Catalan, and Gallego were supressed.  Film schools were banned, divorce, contraceptives and abortion were forbidden, and homosexuality was a criminal offense. While abortion was also illegal in the US, most of the laws in Spain were that of a dictatorship. Franco became slightly more liberal in the 1960s, but a liberal dictator is hardly liberal.  I'm reading more on the Civil War, so I'll add the new things I learn about this part of Spain's history.

ciao!
meg

An update...

    This semester has gotten off to a great start. The new girls are here and we are all moved in to a new apartment on campus.  I have had lots of fun showing them around school, introducing them to everyone, and going into town.  We had our first night in Barcelona last week, which resulted in getting a rose from a waiter, witnessing a bar fight, and having to run to catch the bus home.  I think it was the perfect way to introduce them to Barcelona :-)
    I had another great experience in Barcelona earlier last week. Christina Johnson was diverted here when her plans to go to Cairo were changed.  I met her and her friend for a nice stroll around Barri Gotic and tapas. I was so fun to see her in Barcelona! And Brittany is coming through France in a month.  Seeing both Johnson girls in one month, I hope I can be that lucky!

   Since my return from holiday, the teachers and staff have been wonderful .  I have gone to dinner and drinks with a few teachers over the past few weeks.  I have hung out with their friends, gone to their favorite places.  Those are always my favorite evenings ("When in Spain...").  I love being a part of a school community, a place where I know people are there to support me and make sure I'm okay.

    Speaking of, over the past few weeks I have started tutoring two little girls from our school. Every Tuesday and Thursday I go to their respective houses and even get a home cooked meal afterwards!  Tomorrow I will start tutoring another girl from Third grade. It's been a great way to keep up my planning and get to know a few families from the school.  They have been very sweet and welcoming. On Thursday I practiced my Spanish with them, and on Tuesday I will start a language exchange with a teacher from our school.  My Spanish is about as good as Schwarzenegger's English, so I gotta get crackin'!

It is now the time of year to think about jobs for the fall. I am in the process of sending a few emails to American schools in Barcelona, as well as submitting my resume to some placement companies for International Schools.  At this point I'm going to send my resume and see what comes back, I'll keep everyone updated!

Besos!

Meg