School's out!

Today was our last day of Spanish classes. We started the Monday after we arrived, and we’ve had class for four hours a day since then – three weeks. We walk to Iglesia Filadelfia, where the pastor and his family graciously opened the second floor of the church for us to use. It was a bit rustic, but it was cool when the wind blew, and we could learn more about Nicaraguan life with a bird’s eye view.

I had an individual class with Professor Raúl. We studied the life, works, and literary movement of Rubén Darío, a native Nicaraguan. He lived in the late 1800s, early 1900s. The literary movement Modernismo thrived and died with him. He traveled a lot, and he wrote poems and short stories while being a diplomat and newspaper writer (periodista). I have really enjoyed learning more about Hispanic literature, especially this Nicaraguan author. He grew up in León, so there are monuments and things named after him all over the place. He is entombed in the cathedral in the plaza here, and I visited his house for a field trip.

I decided that it is really exciting to study in a place where the things I am studying actually took place. We get to go out and see the places we read about. The people here are very passionate about their heritage and history, so it is interesting to talk to them about different subjects. My host family does not always seem very well-informed, but they support my studies. Raúl says that I can participate in discussions about Rubén and his works now because I’ve learned about it. Perhaps he has more faith in me than he should, but the class has gone well. Instead of a final exam, I’m writing a research paper covering Modernism, how it began, Rubén Darío’s influence, and analyzing his principal books. It’s a beast. However, I have til Monday to finish it, and I can see the end of the tunnel. It’s calling my name, though, so I should work on it some more before I have a sleepover at Hannah Ponstein’s house tonight. Oh, the life of a student… J

We take two breaks during the class. Alex and Hannah Ponstein are relaxing in the window.

The other group I go to class with – the Hannahs and Alex – study on the other end.

This is the corner where Raúl and I discuss the literature and culture of Nicaragua.