Your global intelligence, which includes things like your worldview, self-awareness, empathy, cultural curiosity, and collaboration, can be heavily impacted when you travel to a new country. I discovered many things about myself during my trip to Spain and allowed my experiences to expand my global intelligence.

I now see myself as more distinctly American than I had before coming to Spain, my worldview has shifted, and my cultural curiosity has grown. There is so much more for me to learn, probably more than I will ever be able to know, but I don’t ever want to stop trying to find out more about myself and the rest of the world.

The Culture Map Assessment Offers Insight

Before my class left for Spain, we all took an assessment based on Erin Meyers’ book The Culture Map, https://hbr.org/web/assessment/2014/08/whats-your-cultural-profile, to compare our cultural tendencies to people who live in Spain.

For example, I scored very differently on the persuading scale. I tend to use a mixed approach that leans towards applications-first, whereas Spain favors a strong principles-first method of persuasion. This means instead of concluding things from factual observations and patterns like I do, Spaniards typically derive their facts from general principles and foundational concepts.

The Culture Map assessment helped me understand why I related to things differently than most Spaniards, and it helped me overcome my culture shock faster than I might have if I hadn’t taken the questionnaire.

Spain Added Diversity to My Worldview

One thing I noticed all throughout my time in Spain was that the country has a long history that is deeply influenced by religion, and it is so much stronger than America’s. The context of what it means to be Spanish is much different than what it means to be an American, and I learned this from listening to our tour guides in places like Toledo and Barcelona.

In Spain, your ancestors, your family’s roots, and religion play a large role in determining your Spanish heritage, whereas in America, being “an American” is mainly found by self-determination and the individual choices a person makes about where they live and how they create their lifestyle.

I now realize I am much more American than I thought before. This is mainly because although I was not born in America, I was raised with an extremely individualistic mindset that causes me to make decisions very independently from common group traditions.

My Cultural Curiosity Grew During the Trip

My cultural curiosity, which is my openness to exploring new cultures and geographies without fear or prejudice, was peaked when I was in Spain. The more I saw and learned of Spain, the more I wanted to travel to other foreign countries to see more of the world.

Flying across an ocean and dipping my toes into the Mediterranean Sea was something no experience in America can compare to. The world has so much to offer, and while I still call Minnesota my home, every new country I’ve visited has stolen a part of my heart, and Spain is no exception. I will come back again someday, there is no doubt about that.

So you’re super excited to head over to Spain. You did the work to join this program and trip; you applied in the fall, got into the class, and now are looking forward to joining your classmates on an unforgettable study journey in a foreign country. It is good to know some things ahead of time, so here are some tips!

First, Be Aware of Culture Shock. Yes, It’s a Thing.

Culture. It’s a word full of meaning, and each country can attach a different one to it. The United States (USA) is quite different from Spain in many ways, and it could be hard for you to adjust to that when you first arrive.

Vital things like how people communicate their words and unsaid meanings are even different between the two countries, and this can cause unintended miscommunication. Erin Meyer, author of The Culture Map, https://www.erinmeyer.com/book/, defines the two general types of communication styles. Low-context communication, used in the USA, is explicit, clear, precise, simple, and the message is taken at face value. In contrast, Spain leans towards high-context, where good communication is “sophisticated, nuanced, and layered.” Words are read between the lines, and messages are implied but not always explicitly stated.

Such a common fact like communication styles can cause a bit of culture shock and disorientation, so educate yourself and be aware of it prior to arriving in the new country.

Second, Get Ready to Ask Questions and Learn from Company Site Visits

Site visits are a super cool opportunity to learn more about the global business scene, and one way to get the most out of each session is to ask the professional speakers some questions. Don’t forget to maintain a respectful approach when asking questions. Although somewhat similar on the scale, Spain ranks higher on hierarchy and power distance, according to Hofstede’s culture dimensions, https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/spain,the-usa/. Power distance, that is “the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally,” is higher in Spain. So, when asking questions, but polite and assertive, and then you should receive a good response.

Third, Don’t Forget to Reflect on Your Amazing Experience!

Finally, don’t pass up the time to think about what you see and do in Spain. Whether it’s exploring the city of Toledo, riding an impressive metro system, or walking the streets of Madrid or Barcelona, take it in and don’t take it for granted. Watch yourself learn and grow and remember to be grateful for such an amazing trip you have, no matter what happens along the way. It’ll make it so much better in the end.

Sitting in a room listening to a lecture given by a Spanish business professional showed me quickly how Spain and the United States (USA) differ from each other culturally. At a site visit to Codorniu just outside of Barcelona, our presenter began her talk with an overview of the company’s roots.

This lecture was similar to other ones we heard from our hosts at each of our site visits, and it revealed how Spain leans towards a more principles first art of persuasion versus the United States’ method of a straight-forward, applications first method. Erin Meyers, author of The Culture Map, https://www.erinmeyer.com/book/ defines the principles-first type of persuasion as a method of reasoning that “derives conclusions or facts from general principles or concepts.” Applications-first reasoning, however, says “general conclusions are reached based on a pattern of factual observations from the real world.”

Collectivism is a Noticeable Distinction Between Countries

Hofstede, a Dutch social psychologist, outlined a cultural dimension known as individualism, https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/india,spain,the-usa/, which measures the “degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members.” The USA scores extremely high at 91, making it one of the most individualistic countries in the world. Spain falls more moderately with a score of 51, and this is evident in numerous ways.

One example is the dining norms. In America, it’s common for people to go out for dinner with friends by grabbing food to eat quickly, and as soon as they’re done with the meal, they leave. Spaniards take things more slowly. They eat slower, and often linger for a time after they are finished with their meal. It wasn’t unusual for our dinners in Spain to last a couple hours. This demonstrates the different values the countries place on relationship-building that happens during mundane activities like a meal.

A Larger Perspective Shows Spain as Globally Moderate

If I simply compared Spain and the USA, it would seem like the countries are culturally extreme opposites from each other in certain areas, including Hofstede’s indulgence dimension, https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/india,spain,the-usa/, which is defined as “the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses.” However, I have also traveled back to India a couple of times and experiencing that country and how different it is from both the USA and Spain puts my time in Spain into a new perspective that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

One example of this are the typical alcohol consumption expectations in the three countries. On one end is America, which scores a 68, relatively high. People don’t blink an eye at others in a bar or a party who are extremely intoxicated. Spain scores a 44, which is lower than the USA. Spaniards often drink wine or sangria at meals but typically don’t socially accept excessive drinking the way Americans do. India, with a score of 26, shows how Spain is more moderate than the average American would think because Indians wouldn’t consider drinking alcohol, even casually at social events.

Overall, Spain and the United States could seem very different from each other, but when put in a worldwide scope, they’re not so far apart after all.

So you’ve made it to Spain! You’re excited, maybe a little nervous, and ready to experience this new country. But where do you start? You don’t want to miss out on anything, but how to you choose what to do or what to see? I suggest you look no further than El Museo del Prado in Madrid. It has history, timeless art, and is the most famous museum in all of Spain. With so much to see and learn at the Prado Museum, you will not be disappointed.

King Charles III Commissioneed El Museo del Prado To Showcase Progress

In the early 1800s, King Charles III originally commissioned the museum because he wanted the country to show off its scientific breakthroughs and progress it had made during that era. However, when later kings held power, they simply turned the Prado Museum into a showhouse to display all of their wealth and riches.

El Museo del Prado Currently Boasts of Beautiful Art and Historical Exhibits

Now, the Prado Museum holds collections of timeless classical art and historical exhibits. Many famous paintings, like Death of the Virgin by Mantegna, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, The Noble man with his hand on his chest by El Greco, The Holy Family by Raphael, The Three Graces by Rubens, and so many more are on display for visitors to see. There are special exhibits and things to see this year also because the Prado Museum is celebrating its 200^th anniversary.

You Don’t Need to Worry About Admission Prices

One major perk college students find in Spain are the opportunities to get into lots of interesting places and sites for free. Any college student within the age of 18-25 can receive free admission to the Prado Museum if they provide a valid student ID. Opening hours on Mondays-Saturdays are 10am to 8pm and on Sundays or holidays 10am to 7pm.

So You Want to Visit the Prado Museum. How Do You Get There?

The most efficient way to reach the Prado Museum is by car. Walking takes about an hour, and public transporation is not much faster. M-30 Lateral is the fastest way to get there, but two other quieter streets also offer easy ways to arrive at the Prado. Don’t forget CGI requires us to refrain from operating motor vehicles on our trip, so be prepared to pay for a taxi or a ridesharing service.

More Helpful Links to Learn About the Prado Museum:

https://www.museodelprado.es/en/museum/history-of-the-museum.

https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/madrid-free-and-reduced-times-to-visit-the-prado-reina-sofia-and-thyssen-borne misza-museums.html.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/arts/design/prado-museum-madrid-200-anniversary.html.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/design/prado-museum-spain-bicentennial-exhibition-a-place-of-memory-madrid-a8766386.html.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hotel+NH+Madrid+Ventas,+Calle+Biarritz,+Madrid,+Spain/prado+museum/@40.4214809,-3.6943736,14z/data=!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0xd4228ca91968d8f:0x8310a8852e41d47f!2m2!1d-3.663792!2d40.4356351!1m5!1m1!1s0xd42289d66d8a2ed:0x1094f07d93ad885a!2m2!1d-3.6921271!2d40.4137818!3e0!5i1.

Centuries old and composed of thousands of acres of vineyards and deep underground cellars, the Codorniu company boasts of Instagram-worthy scenery and world-class wine.

Codorniu has a Long History of Making Cava

Codorniu is the oldest business in Spain. Papers from 1551 are the first documents that show records of the Codorniu family making wine. However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that cava was first introduced. Today, Codorniu employs 500 to 1,000 workers, but because it is a private company, the exact number is not public information.

Cava is a Special Type of Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine cannot be classified as Cava unless it was produced in Catalonia. About 95% of all cava production takes place in the Penedès region. It can take up to three years to produce a bottle of Cava.

The first step in making Cava is to pick the grapes. Cava is created using Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel.lo grapes. Winemakers softly press the grapes, and the freshly squeezed juice is fermented into the base wine. The juice goes through a round of fermentation next, and then the different grapes’ base wines are combined. Sugar and yeast are added to the blends before each mixture ferments a second time. After the dead yeast cells are removed from the blend, the bottles are sealed, and the wine is finished.

Popular Bubbly is Codorniu’s Biggest Threat

Codorniu competes with champagne companies which produce the most popular form of sparkling wine. Champagne is made in France. Codorniu competes with companies like MOËT & CHANDON, which is a company that many people consider produces the best champagne in the world.

Questions to Ask at Codorniu Site Visit:

How do you know when the grapes are ripe enough to be picked?

Why do you use the blend of Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel.lo grapes as opposed to other kinds?

What effect does allowing the wine to ferment in the cellars have on the final taste of the drinks?

What types of processes do you have in place to ensure the quality of the wine? Is there a type of Cava that is your most popular product?

B

On Sunday, April 28^th, Spain will have its third general election in four years. The prime minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, announced the upcoming event after their Cabinet finished a meeting. Sanchez is a representative of the Socialist Party, and his statement followed closely on the heels of Congress defeating his party’s proposed national budget.

The Socialist Party Holds the Lead in the Polls

Currently, Sanchez’s left-wing Socialist Party comes in at the top of the polls. They hold the majority political seats right now, but, with only 31.1% of the votes, the Socialist Party may slip from its spot of controlling power after the future election.

Other Parties Pose Threats, Too.

The People’s Party, a center-right group, snagged the second spot in the opinion polls in early April, with a 20.1% approval rating. The central liberal Citizen’s Party held 14.4% of the projects votes, and the far-left Unidos Podemos party managed to capture 11.4% percent. Perhaps the most striking shift happening, however, is the emergence of the far-right political party known as Vox.

Leaders of the Vox party give speeches and rally their supporters. Photo from: The Guardian.

Far-Right Political Party Vox Begins to Gain Momentum.

Americans will find eerie similarities between the Vox political party’s agenda and core values and its own presidential administration. In fact, Vox’s international, public representative, Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros welcomes the connections people are making between him and his party and Donald Trump and the Republican presidential administration. His own words state that he and his party plan to “drain the swamp, build that wall, and make Spain great again.”

Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros wants to dramatically cut down on civil servants’ occupations and force many of them to go back to looking and applying for jobs, which he believes is what the rest of the real world has to do. He views their work as less of a contribution to society and more as a burden on the rest of the people, saying that they are “living off other people’s taxes.” Such taxes are something the Vox party would also want to drastically reduce or even partially eliminate.

Other deeply conservative parts of the Vox party’s agenda include heavily restricting and banning most abortions and removing a domestic violence law because it promotes the rise of what Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros calls “feminist supremacy.” In addition, he wants Spain to be much harsher on immigration guidelines and enforcement. These, too, echo many of the Trump administration policies.

Vox Party supporters attend a rally in northern Spain on April 14. Photo from CNBC.

Change Is on the Near Horizon.

Spain is set to undergo some political shifts in the spring election this year. Whether the Socialist Party keeps its majority remains in question, and, if they do not, some of the right-wing parties may partner to exert more control over the resulting Congressional seats. If Vox wins a fair amount of the seats, businesses may end up seeing tax rates drop significantly, which could be argued both a beneficial or negative move overall for their national economy. It will indeed be interesting to see the results of the elections as we travel to the capital next month.

Erin Meyers’ Culture Map could Apply to Campaign Effects

Rallies for the campaigns are now nearing their culmination, and if you were to attend one, you would probably hear some speeches given with a principles-first art of persuasion. This would line up with Spain falling quite far left on the principles side of the persuading scale. Time will tell just how that persuasion influences Spaniards to vote on April 28^.