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Craig Konkle-CIEE Seville program, Spain

September 27, 2006

When I first decided to study abroad, I knew that it would be a cultural experience as well as an intellectual one, but I didn’t realize just how different another culture could be than my own. Spain is a modern, industrialized country, but is also one that is centuries rich in customs and tradition.

This past weekend, at “la corrida de toros,” I witnessed twelve Spanish men, equipped with medieval blades of all types, gang up on a bull in an effort to bleed the beast to a slow death…I was absolutely intrigued. Before having seen the spectacle first-hand, I had imagined the process to be far less organized and planned out, but those Spaniards have got it down to a science. First, two men riding armored horses known as “picadores” provoked the bull by yelling, and then stabbed it from above when the beast charged. Second, after the wounds were given some time to weaken the animal, a team of several flamboyantly dressed “matadores” ran at the bull with foot-long, twin daggers, adding about a dozen more gashes to the bull’s already battered back. Finally, in what seemed an eloquent dance with a beast, the leader of the pack, or “torero,”
known as “El Cid,” twirled and spun the gored monster with the help of his red “capa” to the point of complete confusion. Then, when the crowd hissed itself quiet, El Cid drove a final, two foot long sword into the bull’s shoulder, bringing him to his knees.

The most interesting aspect of the whole scene, I thought, was the crowd’s reaction to the battle between man and beast. It seemed that the gore itself had little impact on their applause and cheers. They were more interested, as was I, in how the torero would recover from the bull’s charges and the combination of moves used to carry out the task. This is what made me realize that even though cruel, la corrida is also a performance, an authentic form of Spanish art.

Pre-departure

I have always wanted to study abroad, ever since I knew that there was such a thing. I see it as an opportunity that simply cannot be passed up. I want to experience life on the other side of the world, instead of just ignoring it. I want to KNOW corners of the earth instead of just knowing OF them. Perhaps the best way to live life to its fullest is to branch out, and what better way to reach out to new things than to travel abroad and live among the people of another country. I want to hear the voices of those whom I've never heard before, in order to broaden my perspective. For my opinion to be balanced and unbiassed, I must accept that it does not stand alone and that others are just as valid.

During my four months in Spain, I expect to undergo the greatest learning experience of my life. If I wanted a solid understanding of another's background and education, I would probably ask, "What have you seen?" "Who have you spoken with?" and "WHERE have you been?" These are three questions that I will answer with complete confidence and pride upon arival to Spain as well as when I return. A study abroad program will ad an exciting and diverse chapter to my life which is irreplaceable and won't come around again.