Experiencing Tarragona: A Journey in Language and Culture

By Mikayla Dayton

Virginia Wesleyan University, LCF Student Ambassador

Upon arriving from Barcelona by train for the first time, I was immediately in awe of Tarragona, Spain. Unlike Barcelona, the city was much quiet, with more locals and fewer English speakers. To my surprise, hardly anyone was in the streets on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. After living in Spain for a few weeks, I understood the importance of Sunday as a day for Spaniards to relax and rejuvenate. I strolled past the enormous Mercado, which would be bustling with locals during the weekdays. I eagerly anticipated the delicious bakery items and fresh fruits I would purchase there in the months ahead. On my way to search for lunch, I passed the Monument als Castellers, which depicted a seven-tiered tower of people stacked on top of each other, which commemorated the Human Towers Festival of Santa Tecla. At the top of the monument, a small child wearing a helmet raised their hand in the air, signaling a successful climb.

For lunch, I enjoyed tapas bravas (potatoes covered in a special tangy sauce) and pa amb tomàquet (bread slices covered with tomato and Spanish sausage), both Catalonian favorites. They were well complimented by vermouth, a popular Spanish wine flavored with herbs and other botanicals. After lunch, I explored other areas of the city, like the balcony in Parc de l'Amphitheatre, overlooking the salty, aquamarine water of the Mediterranean. I marveled at ancient Roman architecture, like the Amphitheatre of Tarraco, and observed the many people sunbathing at Platja del Miracle (Miracle Beach). Throughout Tarragona, I often stumbled upon preserved architecture, like elaborate stone city walls or elegant cathedrals, with design influences from around the world.

Reflecting upon my time studying abroad in Tarragona, the best way to describe the city would be a "mezcal," meaning a blend or mix in Spanish. The city embodies Spain's multicultural and multilingual nature.

My first adventure with new friends was figuring out the bus system to travel to the Ferres Aqueduct - Pont del Diable. After a half hour or so of navigating which bus to take and where to get off, we arrived at the aqueduct after only a 10-minute bus ride. We hiked to the top of the bridge, admiring the intricacy of the architecture. The Roman influence was evident in the design of the bridge, as the size and shape of the arches reminded me of the Colosseum in Rome. Surrounded by dense forest with the cityscape in the distance, these historical landmarks tether Catalonia to a rich past that remains present in Spanish culture. Looking back, it's remarkable that just minutes away from the aqueduct, I would have the opportunity to spend months working in a local school, teaching English, and sharing my culture with eager students.

The most impactful experience from my study abroad was at Institut d'Educació Secundària Sant Pere i Sant Pau. As a language assistant, I collaborated with teachers to develop engaging lesson plans on English grammar and American culture. These lessons aimed to bridge the gap between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries and help students develop a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Some activities included topics about winter holidays in the U.S., customs & stereotypes in America, and Thanksgiving traditions.

One student, Saray, was extremely interested in the concept of a holiday focused on feasting and expressing gratitude. She was excited to learn new food vocabulary, like cornbread, which we translated to ‘pa fet del nét de Noé’ in Catalan, even though the recipe did not exist in Spain. Aspiring to be a language educator, I enjoyed seeing how students learn other languages in Europe and how this compares to my teaching experiences in the United States. I gained firsthand knowledge about the challenges of learning languages and how to assist students best as they develop their proficiency. One of the highlights was seeing students improve their English during my time with them. This reinforced my passion for teaching.

When my students lit up after sharing something that interested them, it made me feel like they were just as passionate for what I was teaching. They inspired me to share my love of learning, as I thrive on seeing them enjoy learning languages just as much as I do.

Especially with the grammar concepts that did not directly translate to Spanish or Catalan, many students were eager to learn, frequently asking questions to express themselves correctly in English. Their excitement reminded me of myself in my high school language classroom, thinking about how special it was to engage with a new language. During my time at Sant Pere i Sant Pau, I gained insight into classroom management, teaching strategies, and language learning, and I look forward to carrying all I have learned in Spain to my future career. My experience in Tarragona not only enhanced my Spanish language skills but also introduced me to Catalan, the dominant language spoken in Catalonia. Through this, I gained valuable insight into the region’s distinct culture and its differences from other parts of Spain.

Going abroad allowed me to experience a language, culture, and city that differed significantly from where I was raised. Being exposed to a different worldview, especially in such a politically and ethnically diverse region as Tarragona, enabled me to develop a strong sense of global competence. Utilizing my Spanish proficiency abroad affirmed for me how powerful languages are as a tool for spreading inclusivity

Each morning as I walked to the school, I was dazzled by breathtaking sunrises, with the silhouette of the aqueduct in the distance, reminding me of my first week in Spain. After living abroad for five months, I recognize how my perspective has changed and how much I have grown during those months. Reminiscing about the landmarks I discovered and the memories I made abroad fills me with joy and appreciation for this incredible opportunity I was given.

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Know a language learner with a story to share? Refer multilingual students and professionals to LCF for consideration in a future blog feature. And be sure to explore the LCF Student Ambassadors Program for post-secondary language learners.