Author: Evan Meyers | Major: Computer Science and Spanish | Semester: Spring 2025
Arcoíris entre el Pasto
My name is Evan Meyers, and I am a junior at the University of Arkansas Honors College and the College of Engineering. I am pursuing majors in Computer Science and Spanish with a minor in Mathematics. I am studying abroad through the Universidad Nebrija Direct Enrollment program at the University of Arkansas, where I am taking Spanish courses in Madrid, Spain.
My third month in Spain was even better than the last. I did a lot, from my trip to Granada, rowing a boat in the middle of Retiro Park, to attending a Spanish comedy show. Through all this, I made new friends, experienced a vibrant culture, and got to know myself better.
On the weekend before Saint Patrick’s Day, my close friend group and I travelled south to the amazing city of Granada. Of all the places I have been in Spain so far, Granada has been, by far, my favorite. I believe this to be because of its rich history, steep hills (reminding me of Fayetteville), and incredible food.
Of the most notable things I did while in Granada, there are two that stick out to me. The first was when I hiked around the city, ending up base of the famous Alhambra palace. The precision and beauty of its architecture were unlike anything I had ever seen prior. Along this hike, we stumbled into a “secret” public garden, which contained peacocks, flowing fountains, and an incredible view of the entirety of Granada and its countryside. Simply being able to walk through the property was an experience I will never forget.
The second moment that I thoroughly enjoyed was attending a small, intimate flamenco show in a historic part of the city. For two hours, I sat feet away from three talented dancers as they performed an emotional show for us. One of the dancers was an elderly woman who was in her early eighties; however, you would not be able to tell her age based on the quality of her dance. As the singer yelled and the guitar strummed, the dancer twirled with castanets in hand, bringing the music to life. I left the show inspired.
During the University of Arkansas’ spring break, several of my friend Eliza’s friends came to visit her. Throughout the week, I spent a lot of time with them and explored parts of Madrid I had not previously. One of the first things we did together was go to a “secret” bakery run by cloistered nuns. To get inside the bakery, we had to use an unassuming entrance and had to be buzzed in. Once inside, we waited in line until reaching a rotating tray meant for us to place our money on before receiving our order. All of this was done without us being able to see the nuns in any way. The cookies were amazing. We bought two boxes: one of shortbread and one of lemon squares. Before eating them, we ventured to a garden in front of the royal palace to experience them in the best environment possible.
The next day, we booked a reservation for two row boats, allowing us to paddle around the main pond in Retiro Park. After waiting in line for about half an hour, we finally got on the water and had a great time rowing all around with each boat competing against each other to see who had the best crew. Upon returning our boats, we walked the park some more to watch as the sun set through the beautiful scenery.
Later in the week, through one of Eliza’s friends’ connections, we visited a comedy show performed entirely in Spanish. It was rewarding to see my Spanish skills pay off as I got to experience the humor of the show over the course of two hours. I even got called on several times throughout the show and managed to make both the comedian and the crowd laugh with my responses. This was a great experience for me as it allowed me to put my Spanish abilities to the test in front of a large crowd of native speakers. Where I once thought I would be too nervous to respond, I spoke with clarity and confidence.
Along with all of this, March also marked the halfway point of my study abroad experience. As sad as it was to realize this, it also allowed me to reflect on all that I had done and truly appreciate it. Through these blog posts, I have also been able relive a lot of my favorite moments during my trip, and they will continue to serve as markers of some of the most influential events of my life.