An Interview with Summer

Summer, were you disappointed when you found out that you wouldn’t be able to attend our village school?

Summer:  Yeah, at first because I was really looking forward to getting better at my spanish and meeting new people.  But, once I made friends I am perfectly fine home schooling.

 

So what do you do now?

Summer:  When I am eating breakfast in the morning I think about what I feel like doing first.  I can either learn a new song on guitar, read either my Spanish or English book, do geometry, do a new post on my blog, walk around the village meeting people and taking pictures, painting, or work on writing one of my stories.

What are your thoughts about doing school from home for the time being?

Summer:   I love being able to do what I am in the mood for doing that day.  If I really want to practice guitar I can do it.  If I want to work on a detailed post on customs in Spain I can do it.   Also, I can concentrate a lot better in the quiet house by myself than in a noisy classroom.  I feel like I am learning a lot.  My imagination has been on high speed since I got away from school and homework.  I have been able to do some watercolor painting, pursue photography, and I have even been working on writing and illustrating my own books because I have the time!

What is your favorite part about living in Spain?

Summer:  I love how pretty the village is!  The white houses, decorative cobblestone streets, a Mediterranean view!  Its also amazing getting to know the people and using my Spanish.  I also really enjoy being able to learn about other cultures outside of America.  Living here really gives me a bigger view on life which I think is really important.

What are your goals for the next 2 months?

Summer:   I want to learn as much of the culture here as possible while we  are here.  I want to get really good at the guitar so that I can learn songs faster and easier.  I also want to self publish at least one of my books on kindle.

Have you made some Spanish friends?

Summer:    Yes.  At first its hard to go from an English speaking house to my friends who only speak Spanish.  But, after a while I pick it up again and talking gets really easy.  We take walks around the village.  They enjoy learning about America just as much as I like learning about Spain.

How do you like being the interpreter for your parents all the time?

Summer:   Haha, well I have been translating on and off since I was 8 so I’m used to it.  I have always enjoyed using my Spanish outside of a classroom.  Speaking with people who only speak spanish really pushes me to do my best to learn.  So, every time I translate I learn something that will help me in the future.

 

Is Spanish in Spain different than the Spanish that you learned in school?

Summer:   Yes!  Since I learned all my spanish in a classroom where spanish is spoken clearly and precisely vs. the real world where people talk fast.  Another difference is I learned Mexican Spanish.  So, in Spain where they don’t say  “s” sounds, drop off ends of most words, and a “c ” paired with an ” e”  or  “i ” makes a “th” sound.  I have to pay more attention when I talk or listen.

What is your overall impression about spending the winter in Spain this year rather than at home?

Summer:   I love the experience of being here!  The beautiful village, friendly people, and just the overall experience is amazing.  I am learning and experiencing so much its amazing.  I was so busy last year with jazz band, swim team, school, homework, advanced classes, and more.  I had about one hour of free time a day!  Which is far from enough.  Being more free here, my creating side that has been buried since middle school is coming out again!  I’m painting, drawing, creating, writing, doing photography, and lots of other stuff too!  This is going to be a great two months for me.