international student's life in santiago
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hello everyone,every nice to meet you all
it's a pleasure to be here as exchange students, I'm Adela, from China, da jia hao!
I'm Klara, from Czech Republic.
I'm Zerya, from Turkey.
Santiago de Compostela is a well known Spanish city as a religious centre during centuries
more than a holy place for peregrines
as an university city it also attracts hundreds of students from all over the world each year to come
for further education or exchange studies just like us
so we are so pleased to be part of them
In our eyes, we compare this city to a colourful painting
every one has been inspired and joining in this work
with our own culture and diverse backgrounds
with all people’s efforts we manage to finish this brilliant “masterpiece”
so we want to make best use of this chance to show you how we are living in Santiago
and some perspectives we hold in this culture shock environment
in this excellent "masterpiece"
hello,everyone! my name is Adela
a Chinese girl now studying Spanish Language here in Santiago
it's the first time for me being so long abroad
and at the beginning, i was quite impressed by beautiful scenery here
quiet city atmosphere, kind people and even the horrible rain
more importantly,gradually I figure out Santiago brings me kind of feeling like home
every time when I come back from travelling
so let's get down to business about today's topic
I choose red as a symbol of China
color red is so important to us
it refers to various things
red corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and happiness
which is found everywhere during Chinese Spring Festival,other holidays and even sometimes family gatherings
generally speaking, red is considered to bring good luck
so during that festival, the elders will prepare red envelopes
as a special gift
and in this kind of envelope, we will put some money inside just as I do
10 euros
and then give it to our little children or some other relatives
or we will write red couplets to paste on two sides of main door
in order to make best wishes for the next year
Different from occident lifestyle, Chinese people live more quietly and more peacefully
normally it's kind of busy routine from 9 am to 5 pm
young students don't have customs to go out or go to some crazy parties until midnight
neither do we come back home drunk very often
well, there is an exception, that is, you break up with your boyfriend
so it could happen sometimes
but usually in eyes of some conservative people or the elders
for instance, like our grandparents
they hold a stereotype that good students don´t behave like that
however, things go opposite here
Spanish people are already accustomed to bar culture
which is part of their lifestyle, part of their life
no matter his age, no matter his gender or profession
and I know for a college student, if he doesn´t go to party with friends
it's hardly to believe
but this is the way it is!
Since we are here, at this enormous ground
we need to adapt ourselves to being like a Galician
and joining several types of nightlife activities
as a result I go to bed later and later
and suffer a lot from getting up the next day
in addition, the alcohol I have drunk in Santiago is the total amount while I was at my home.
unfortunately due to limited time
I cannot mention you all of my feelings and funny experiences in this short video
but I want to say
if you come to China in the future
it will always be a pleasure to receive and host you
I assure you that you will feel the same feeling just like that happened to me
that trip will make you feel so shocked with our culture
hey welcome to Alameda park
my favorite place in Santiago
if you are asking yourself why I choose exactly this place
just have a look at there
I think that this view is really romantic and breath-taking and can give person inspiration or just break from daily responsibilities
Erasmus life-learning program is well-known like a study program full of parties
so somebody can think that I don´t need a break from daily responsibilities
but that's not whole truth
The longing for family and friends, bureaucratic complications
the language barrier, Galician language and culture shock are
some of the difficulties which have to most of Erasmus student pass
including me
Culture shock is one of the most funny part of this problem
for example,My first experience with this phenomenon was 2 days after I arrived at Santiago
I was accommodade in hostel and my first days were really hard
so one morning I awaked really tired and stressed, probably it had to be remarked on my face
some Spanish man saw me and came to me with words
"hey girl! what happened to you? how can I help you? don't worry!"
so for me it was so surprising
because manifesting kindness and cheerfulness is not so usualy in Czech Republic
whose characteristic of people is little bit colder
so I was really surprised without possibilities to answer this man
next difference is kissing at both of cheeks like for greeting
or being on first-name terms with teachers in a university
so in the end culture shock pleased me
Erasmus student have got a lot of advantages also
my friends and I
we are travelling a lot and because of very close friendship
we called us Erasmus family
We have got possibilities to get to know new people, places, culture and education system, what is amazing!
So thatnks to Erasmus, thanks to Santiago, that I can to be here, part of Erasmus!
so thanks!
I'm Zerya, from Turkey, as Erasmus student in Santiago
I would like to be here because there are many differences between my country and Santiago
as you can see, historical places like the church
we don't have many historical places like that
I mean the church, of course we have mosques
but we don't have church
and then another difference for me is walking long long way
to reach here
in addition, I really like to be here
because every night I go out and see the musician
and listening to them is also awesome for me
also I never had Christmas before because in our country we don't celebrate Christmas
but here people celebrate Christmas like crazy
having lots of Christmas trees
Santa Claus
buying gifts to each other
it's awesome, and I'm happy to see them
thank you for everything!
Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way!
oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way!
oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! =D