The differences between Spain and Germany -by Lena and Esra

The Erasmus exchange with Vigo showed us a lot of differences between the Spanish and the German culture. We made a lot of experiences, had memorable and unforgettable Moments together, became close and friends and learned a lot about each other. 

Although we have a lot of commonalities there are also some differences between our habits.

Before we went to Vigo the teachers already told us about the late time the Spaniards go to bed. We didn’t really believe that but already at the first evening of our arrival we realized that they have a completely different diurnal rhythm or rather a different sense of time. It was normal to leave the house at eleven o’clock at the evening to go out for dinner or to have dessert. The interesting part is, that we also had to wake up early, so the Spaniards didn’t need that much sleep like we do. 

The different sense of time is up to the mealtime. 

In contrast to us our exchange partners didn’t use to have a lot for breakfast. 

Sometimes they just ate a biscuit and drunk some milk. 

We often had lunch while an excursion so we brought the meal with us. 

Most of us had Tortilla, a typical spanish meal with eggs, potatos and optional onions. 

It tastes so good!

And dinner was often quite big. We never had dinner before ten o’clock. In Germany we never have dinner after 22 o’clock. 

At all the organization and planning of time is a big difference between the Spanish and Germans. This sometimes challenged us. Especially when the Spanish where in Hamburg. 

The Spaniards are pretty warm hearted people and always seem to spread energy and positivity. This is also reflected in their music. Spanish music nearly always includes a different vibe, creates a feeling of summer, good weather and makes us think of a “fiesta”.  

There is the prejudice that Germans are mostly cold hearted, maybe inhibited too and in some points that’s maybe true but we students prooved that this prejudice doesn’t speak for all of us. 

We think that preponderant little habits confirm this prejudice. For example shaking hands for greeting is something normal here, what we often do politely but in spain, that’s how our exchange partners told us, that’s something you just do when you need to be really formal, for example when you get paid or sign an contract. A peck on the cheeck is there more friendly and familiar act of friendship. 

We learned to worship and accept these differenties. Some of us for example already planned some extra minutes in the morning because we learned that the Spaniards have a different view on time management. Sometimes when we had to take the train one of us ran to stop the doors from closing and all the others animateted the Spaniards to run. It was always quite a mess but fun.

        

   

                                                                                                                             

Our highlight in Vigo was the trip to the Islas Cies. We have nerver seen a place as beautiful as these islands. On the one hand there was the beach with clear water and white sand and on the other hand were the mountains, which we climbed up. 

Another highlight for us was when we met at the evening in a parc called “Castro”. 

We watched the sunset together and had a view on Vigo. We danced, listened to music and enjoyed the little time that rest.

Our art project in Vigo was to create a wall of graffit in the school yard together. On the wall on the middle we all sprayed together the logo of our Erasmus project.

On the left and on the right side of the wall we all sprayed our handprint and designed at in our own way. It was cool to know, that there was a part of us, who stayed there.

 

In Hamburg we prepared ourselves for an Art exhibition in our school. We created T-shirts with a technique called “Bathik”. We even got featured in our local newspaper for the art exhibition

The time in Hamburg ran by too fast and the day of the Goodbye came. We all spent the last evening together. And it was unforgettable

Our last moment in this group together. The Goodbye was really sad. The group spirit was incedible and we learned that the language doesn`t matter for a friendship. We even tought the Spaniards a little bit German. Many were able to count and some even could speak some more. This project was such a great experience that we will always remember.