Essay on Spain: Spain and United States

Submitted By leandra97
Words: 1089
Pages: 5
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With Spain being so far away there are drastic differences but several similarities. I have realized a lot of things are going to be different for me. Others think this opportunity is scary, and it totally is, but I am so excited to overcome my fears and step out of my comfort zone to try and experience all these new things that I have researched on my exchange.
In contrast to most people in the United States, Spaniards take school seriously; they really are interested in learning. In Spain their educational system includes general and special education. Local public authorities have to inspect educational systems to make sure it meets all law requirements. To obtain a good stable job academic qualifications are very important. Education is free from nursery school up to University. About one-third of children attend a private school of some sort. Approximately 55 percent of students go to school full time until they’re 18. After that, 25 percent go to vocational training and 30 percent go to a university. Most universities are very over crowded. The price of universities can vary from 500 to 1,120 Euros each academic year. Private universities registration for a bachelor’s degree varies from 5,000 to 12,000 Euros per academic year. Masters and doctorial degrees are generally regulated by the government. Foreign parents that can afford sending their child to a foreign university generally do. Courses in Spain universities are usually shorter and more flexible than foreign universities. Religious classes MUST be in all schools, but students are not required to take them. Spain is part of the Mediterranean diet. Spain’s most common food is a potato omelet called “tortilla de plata”. In Spain, lunch or mid-day meal is the biggest meal of the day, around 2:00 pm. everyone gathers at home and eats with their family together, this meal is kind of like dinner here in America, Spain’s foods are most likely cooked with paprika. In Spain people eat a lot of meat and vegetables, as well, as fish and seafood. While I’m there I will get the opportunity to try “Jicama” and “Ruhbarb” which are two popular vegetables in Spain. In the major cities of Spain the water is generally good to drink, they drink regular water and sparkling water; I prefer regular water. The price of orange juice is only about 0.80 Euros, which is about $2.30; basically some products in Spain are cheaper than they are here.
Spain is a very religious country. The main religion in Spain is Catholicism. But there are thousands of Muslims that also live in Spain. Also about 12,000 Jews live in Spain. Most of the religious holidays are the same here. For example, Good Friday, Christmas; on this day in Spain children receive small gifts but on the Day of the Three Kings (January 6th), is where kids receive many gifts on this morning. Some people celebrate Days of the Three Kings here in America.
As in most Spanish countries soccer is the most popular sport, but not in this case. In Spain the most popular sport is basketball, with soccer coming in as second most popular. In 1909, Spain created their own soccer organization called, Royal Spanish Football Organization (RFEF). This organization handled the first national team. They took players from different areas of Spain to form a team. By 1927 Soccer became more of an international sport. Jose Maria Acha, whom was the director of the “Arenas Club De Roldan”, pursued the idea of a national league in Spain. After it took almost a whole year to get the team started the first tournament called “La Liga” was finally played. All throughout the 90’s Barcelona and Real Madrid fought over the La Liga title. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the biggest rivalries in Spain soccer history. Many teens practice adventure sports, such as canoeing, climbing or rafting. Also in the winter, they go skiing or snowboarding.
Family is very important to Spaniards, every family is very close. You must be 18 to drive and drink. At the age
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