We have reached week 7, and my time here in Madrid is quickly coming to an end. I have had such a great time here so far, and I’m hoping to sightsee a little more before I have to leave. I’ve enjoyed exploring the different neighborhoods, and seeing the differences in culture and atmosphere among those neighborhoods. For instance the busy streets of Gran Vía to the calm, tranquil parks of Retiro. I also think I’ve begun to get a good sense of the customs and the cuisine in the area.
One of the biggest things I picked up was my improvement of the Spanish language, but I don’t just mean the basic language elements. I feel like I’ve gotten a really good understanding of some of the colloquial phrases and terms that are used. I’ve observed this particularly in day-to-day interactions with locals, whether that be the barista at the café I frequent near my office or engaging with one of the many vendors at a flea market. The informal language and slang that they use are so integral in the conversations they have with each other, and they’ve provided me with a much deeper insight into the culture and language of Madrid. Using these idioms and phrases has added authenticity to my speech and has also helped me understand the humor and nuances that are often lost in translation.
This weekend I got to go to Malaga as the last trip of this program. I discovered that Malaga itself is much more of a beach town and less touristy. It does, however house the Castle of Gibralfaro, Alcazaba, and the Picasso Museum, because Picasso is from there. These two castles showcase the city’s rich Moorish heritage. Alcazaba was built in the 11th century, and was a residence for Muslim rulers and a defensive stronghold. It was strategically located on a hillside in order to provide protection against invasions and a vantage point of the Mediterranean Sea.
The view from this was absolutely breathtaking, and was definitely worth the trip in my opinion.
The Castle of Gibralfaro was built as a reinforcement for the defenses of Alcazaba and also to house the troops. These two things really reinforced the idea that Málaga was significant as a port and defensive center during the Islamic rule of Spain.
The Picasso museum was also really interesting because I got to see the progression of Picasso’s work. My favorite piece was Las tres Gracias, or the Three Graces. It represents an interpretation of the classic theme in Greek mythology of three graces that symbolize beauty, joy, and creativity. The museum described how he painted in such a way that their bodies are hidden in the shadows, but their faces are clearly highlighted to show the thought in their head. The style of the art is also cubist, where the figures are depicted geometrically, and in a fragmented manner. This was very common in Picasso’s work.
Communication here is high-context communication. I have noticed a lot of the time that the feedback you receive sometimes will have multiple layers to it and require you to read between the lines to really understand what they are saying. I often find myself having to pay attention to body language and implied meanings.
I haven’t personally encountered any situations of miscommunication that I’ve had to overcome but I have witnessed some feedback given to an employee about timeliness. The feedback was given very politely, but the non-verbal cues indicated that it was very important to be punctual in the future.
The main challenge that I’ve encountered is trying to figure out the tasks that I need to do beyond what is directly told for me. I have had to ask questions in order to ensure that I am working on the right path. This has helped me improve my communication, specifically because I’ve needed the confidence to ask those questions. This has also helped me be a better employee, because asking for feedback has allowed me to make sure that I am doing the task correctly and to the standards of the company.
Navigating the shift from low-context to high-context has required flexibility and cultural sensitivity. By being aware of these differences and adapting my communication style accordingly, I’ve been able to work more effectively in my hybrid environment and also minimize the amount of misunderstandings I face during the work day. This experience has significantly enriched my professional and personal growth, making me more adaptable and culturally aware.