It was almost six years ago that my family and I waited for her at the airport.
It
was
almost
six
years
ago
that
my
family
and
I
waited
for
her
at
the
airport
.
Unsure of what to expect and a little bitter about such an experience that my mother was forcing upon me, I had mixed feeling about the girl from Madrid.
Unsure
of
what
to
expect
and
a
little
bitter
about
such
an
experience
that
my
mother
was
forcing
upon
me
,
I
had
mixed
feeling
about
the
girl
from
Madrid
.
Today, after making many memories and discoveries, I couldn't be more thankful for what that experience taught me.
Today
,
after
making
many
memories
and
discoveries
,
I
could
n't
be
more
thankful
for
what
that
experience
taught
me
.
My family had the privilege to host Teresa for several summers.
My
family
had
the
privilege
to
host
Teresa
for
several
summers
.
I became fond of her cheerful chatter, constant laughter, and addiction to online shopping.
I
became
fond
of
her
cheerful
chatter
,
constant
laughter
,
and
addiction
to
online
shopping
.
She seldom took my unkind jokes seriously and always gave it right back to me, making our relationship closer.
She
seldom
took
my
unkind
jokes
seriously
and
always
gave
it
right
back
to
me
,
making
our
relationship
closer
.
She could go on talking for hours about the beach outside her house, her family and friends, and her life at her school.
She
could
go
on
talking
for
hours
about
the
beach
outside
her
house
,
her
family
and
friends
,
and
her
life
at
her
school
.
While several aspects were very similar to my life here, I was always left with a certain level of mystery and excitement as I wondered how the picture in my head compared with reality.
While
several
aspects
were
very
similar
to
my
life
here
,
I
was
always
left
with
a
certain
level
of
mystery
and
excitement
as
I
wondered
how
the
picture
in
my
head
compared
with
reality
.
Through hard work, she became fluent in English in almost no time.
Through
hard
work
,
she
became
fluent
in
English
in
almost
no
time
.
While this was a big success for her, it made me ashamed as I was not forced to develop the little Spanish that I was learning in class.
While
this
was
a
big
success
for
her
,
it
made
me
ashamed
as
I
was
not
forced
to
develop
the
little
Spanish
that
I
was
learning
in
class
.
This experience aroused my interest in traveling to Europe - especially Spain.
This
experience
aroused
my
interest
in
traveling
to
Europe
-
especially
Spain
.
While l know that not everyone has this same interest in other culture, I believe that it is important for us to be willing to learn about what makes certain customs and activities significant to them As Americans, we may be some of the most arrogant people about other culture, which history has proven can have disastrous consequences.
While
l
know
that
not
everyone
has
this
same
interest
in
other
culture
,
I
believe
that
it
is
important
for
us
to
be
willing
to
learn
about
what
makes
certain
customs
and
activities
significant
to
them
As
Americans
,
we
may
be
some
of
the
most
arrogant
people
about
other
culture
,
which
history
has
proven
can
have
disastrous
consequences
.
By at least making the effort to appreciate what is important to them, we show respect to the people who have such culture.
By
at
least
making
the
effort
to
appreciate
what
is
important
to
them
,
we
show
respect
to
the
people
who
have
such
culture
.
Through the unique experience that in a sense I was forced into, I learned far more about the Spanish culture than I could have in any classroom.
Through
the
unique
experience
that
in
a
sense
I
was
forced
into
,
I
learned
far
more
about
the
Spanish
culture
than
I
could
have
in
any
classroom
.
I discovered new interests that I had never considered before, and I am excited for the opportunity to experience it first-hand this summer.
I
discovered
new
interests
that
I
had
never
considered
before
,
and
I
am
excited
for
the
opportunity
to
experience
it
first-hand
this
summer
.
It was almost six years ago that my family and I waited for her at the airport. Unsure of what to expect and a little bitter about such an experience that my mother was forcing upon me, I had mixed feeling about the girl from Madrid. Today, after making many memories and discoveries, I couldn't be more thankful for what that experience taught me.  My family had the privilege to host Teresa for several summers. I became fond of her cheerful chatter, constant laughter, and addiction to online shopping. She seldom took my unkind jokes seriously and always gave it right back to me, making our relationship closer. She could go on talking for hours about the beach outside her house, her family and friends, and her life at her school.  While several aspects were very similar to my life here, I was always left with a certain level of mystery and excitement as I wondered how the picture in my head compared with reality.  Through hard work, she became fluent in English in almost no time. While this was a big success for her, it made me ashamed as I was not forced to develop the little Spanish that I was learning in class. This experience aroused my interest in traveling to Europe - especially Spain. While l know that not everyone has this same interest in other culture, I believe that it is important for us to be willing to learn about what makes certain customs and activities significant to them As Americans, we may be some of the most arrogant people about other culture, which history has proven can have disastrous consequences. By at least making the effort to appreciate what is important to them, we show respect to the people who have such culture.  Through the unique experience that in a sense I was forced into, I learned far more about the Spanish culture than I could have in any classroom. I discovered new interests that I had never considered before, and I am excited for the opportunity to experience it first-hand this summer.