{"id":44,"date":"2026-07-22T16:48:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T21:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/cadiz-spain-summer-2026\/?p=44"},"modified":"2026-07-22T16:50:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T21:50:57","slug":"the-top-5-culture-shocks-i-experienced-while-studying-abroad-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/cadiz-spain-summer-2026\/2026\/07\/22\/the-top-5-culture-shocks-i-experienced-while-studying-abroad-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Culture Shocks I experienced while Studying Abroad in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As an American student studying Spanish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a1Hola a Todos!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
My name is Mariela, and I\u2019m a psychology student studying Spanish at the University of C\u00e1diz, in C\u00e1diz, Spain, through UML (https:\/\/www.uml.edu\/international-programs\/programs\/university-of-cadiz.aspx)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While living here this July, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Spanish culture, which also includes experiencing culture shocks about how different America and Spain are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
America knows Spain as a country famous for its architecture, art, and rich historical ties; however, many Americans don\u2019t realize that Spain has a more relaxed, traditional, and warm culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are my top 5 cultural shocks I have experienced so far while living here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Siesta Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA photo featuring a closed shop during siesta.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In Spain, it\u2019s completely normal for many shops to close in the middle of the day for siesta<\/em>. This break usually happens between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM<\/strong>, giving workers time to rest, nap, or even have lunch. Spanish culture is much slower and calmer than American culture, where everything feels like it\u2019s constantly moving without a pause. Many stores, or tiendas<\/em>, close during this time. While some places like supermarkets (Carrefour<\/em>) or pharmacies (Farmacias<\/em>) stay open, most shops close. The majority of stores also close all day on Sundays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Lunch and dinner begin late<\/em>r than in America<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto of bustling restaurants at 9 PM next to the Cathedral<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Finding lunch to eat during Siesta can be difficult; unfortunately, patience is key, because it starts no earlier than 5:00 PM<\/strong>, while dinner begins at 8:30 PM<\/strong>. This isn\u2019t just because of siesta; it\u2019s also because the sun sets much later in Spain (around 9:30 PM in C\u00e1diz). Even while eating in restaurants in C\u00e1diz, the check never arrived until we asked for it. It\u2019s considered incredibly rude for servers to rush guests out of the restaurant due to sobremesa,<\/em> a tradition where people often stay for an hour or more after finishing their meal to chat. Additionally, tipping culture doesn’t exist in Spain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Having dryers is rare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA phto of clothes hanging on balconies and clothes line<\/em>s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In Spain, most people don\u2019t own a dryer<\/strong>. In C\u00e1diz, it\u2019s common to see clothes hanging on balconies or strung up with ropes. In addition, washing machines are a lot more common than dryers, but it\u2019s not unusual for people to wash clothes by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Vending Machines have cooked meals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA photo of a vending machine selling cooked meals<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
On the streets of C\u00e1diz, vending machines are everywhere, and many contain preheated food! Food is first refrigerated, but once selected, it will heat up ready to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Cars drive in small walkways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA photo of a car driving through a small road<\/em> in C\u00e1diz<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Cars are allowed to drive in alleyways across the city, as long as they drive slowly. In Spain, It\u2019s common to see vehicles squeezing through these tight spaces to reach their destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If anyone ever gets a chance to study abroad in Spain, you should seriously take it! Spain has such a different culture in comparison to America, and living in it is the best part.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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