Spain on Hold; Bears Offer Solace

 

 

This past week I had an interview for graduate school and choked. I applied to one program focusing in Hispanic Cultural Studies. The program would have lasted one year and been in Madrid. I had prepared for a no, and fantacized about a yes. When I got a maybe I paniced. A director from the program wanted to meet with me during a trip to Buenos Aires.

I arrived early for the interview and paced around the neighborhood for 30 min letting my nerves get the better of me. I wasn’t sure what to expect. The interview turned into an evaluation of my Spanish instead of a discussion about the program. I was so nervous about speaking Spanish that I temporarily forgot why I enjoy studying Hispanic cultues and history.

 

In the end the director informed me that my level of Spanish was unsatisfactory and suggested I take formal lessons and reapply next year. I agree I could benefit from Spanish lessons. But I am also a little disappointed in myself for not expressing my strengths. I could offer a unique historic perspective. It is true I was not a Spanish scholar. My degree is in history and some how I managed to pick up the language through a few classes. The rejection letter should be in the mail shortly.

 

I feel my Spanish will continue to improve with more time in South America and the addition of Spanish lessons. I hope to make it to Spain but it might not be next fall.

Buenos Aires isn’t toooooo terrible either.

 

 

To cheer myself up I headed to Plaza San Martin to revist an playful exhibition that went up in the beginning of March. The United “Buddy” Bears of Berlin featured Plaster cast bears from every country. The organization exists to support charities and originated in Germany.

I went around taking shots of my favorite countries and my room mates’ homes. Spain’s bear was fashioned after Guadi, Argentina with Gardel’s Image, Germany, Italy with Venetian Carnival etc.

~ by aedlund on March 15, 2009.