Staff writer
T.C. Edwards graduated from Marion High School in May just like nearly 50 other students.
However, Edwards did so while roughly 5,000 miles away.
So much for sitting in the front row.
In reality, Edwards was studying abroad in Spain while completing his senior year. His program allowed him to be considered a 2008 MHS graduate.
It was during his junior year that Edwards thought about studying abroad.
He was in Spanish class and perked up when the teacher mention the possibility of someone in America studying in a foreign country.
Edwards talked to his parents, Terry and Chris, and they told him it was his decision.
The then-junior had taken two years of Spanish, so he thought a Spanish-speaking country would be the perfect fit.
He thought about South America, but decided to experience Europe.
When Spain came to mind, Edwards jumped at the chance.
“I pictured it as laid back, liberal, almost like an overgrown college campus,” he said.
Edwards said it was like that in some ways, but the country of 46 million residents had more to offer than just an early college experience.
A great experience
From religion to culture to food, Edwards experienced it all while living with six host families during his senior year.
It wasn’t supposed to be that way, but Edwards said some of his host families told them they weren’t equipped to have someone stay with them all year.
He attended three schools while in Spain, and Edwards said that was the hardest part of the switching of families.
“That’s a real wrench to throw at you,” he said.
He lived in three different cities, but for half of the year remained in Bilbao, which was his favorite city.
Depending on where he was staying, Edwards walked or took the Metro to school. Driving was not an option due to liability issues with the study abroad program.
It wouldn’t have been as hard as Edwards thought, because to his surprise, Spaniards also drive on the right side of the road. He said a common misconception is all European countries drive on the left, when in fact the United Kingdom is one of the only ones to do so.
Something else Edwards was not used to, but glad for, was the school schedule.
While the school year itself was similar to that of Marion, the school days were shorter.
A typical day started between 8-9 a.m., and ended between 2-2:30 p.m.
He also said there seemed to be at least two or three days a month where school was closed.
“The Spanish are quite good at holiday breaks,” Edwards said with a laugh.
Among those breaks were Carnival (which is similar to Mardi Gras), and the winter and summer solstice.
They also observed Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and even Columbus Day. Edwards said Spain has its own Independence Day, but does not celebrate it like America.
Thanksgiving also wasn’t on the calendar, with no surprise since the Pilgrims did not land in Spain.
Religion and politics were of interest to Edwards as well, and he said views of both depended on the person.
There was no persecution or pressure to believe a certain way, although there were plenty who were passionate about both religion and politics.
“It was different from one person to the next,” Edwards said of both topics.
He also said there were many Spaniards interested in what Edwards though about American politics. That was, once they figured out he was American.
He said he was mistaken for nearly everything under the sun.
However, what was not a mistake to Edwards was his desire for Spanish food.
He loved what was offered, and said he wasn’t looking forward to eating in America again.
“Americans don’t really understand how bad their food is,” he said.
Another difference from America was the Spanish lifestyle in general.
He loved the culture of staying up late, taking “siestas” during the day, going to bars (the drinking age in Spain is 18), and “wooing” Spanish women.
While Edwards loved the food, climate (it always was between freezing or the mid-80s), culture, and overall beauty of Northern Spain, it doesn’t mean he forgets where he came from.
He passed his classes (especially English) and came back in early July to his hometown of Marion.
This fall he will attend Butler Community College, and hopes to someday travel back to Spain and other parts of Europe.
He always will be an American, but one who appreciates what the world has to offer.
“The thing about culture is, it’s not right or wrong, just different,” Edwards said.
He should know.