Blog Post 1

 Culture, to me, is a great mix of traditions, values, beliefs, and artifacts that shape the identity of a group of people. It can be shown through the way communities find unity and togetherness with one another. Culture influences everything, from the everyday activities we do to the overall development of individuals and their cultural communities. Culture connects people, and to those who are apart of difference cultures, tradition and tendencies are often conversation starters to learn more about one another and ask questions. The expression of culture allows individuals to feel seen, accepted, and instills a sense of belonging. I do not know much about the Spanish culture, besides the active nightlife, food, and siesta. I picture Spain to be a very lively, active, and welcoming place where there is always something going on and festivities to be had. I find myself aligning pretty well with these notions about Spain. I know that their culture is often very loud and there is an emphasis on lunchtime. I enjoy this idea a lot because I find myself living in a similar manner. By living in Spain for a month, I feel as though I will learn a lot about myself as a person, outside of my usual American ways and behaviors. I hope this experience expands my outlook on life, exposes me to culture I was previously naive to, and encourages me to continuing experiencing other parts of the world and understand people better. Growing up in a primarily white, middle-class, Italian suburb in New Jersey has made diversity a very lacking aspect in my life. I feel as though traveling to Spain and immersing myself in an entirely new culture will help me grow as an individual, especially in terms of learning that life is larger than just my bubble.