My Spanish professor thought that we eat hotdogs for every meal and that we all live in giant houses with luscious green yards. The goal of the American Space is to enlighten people in the Valencian community with information about actual life in the United States: its holidays, its foods, its people.
The American Space meets the needs the U.S. Embassy saw back in 2013 in every way possible. It satisfies the community’s desire for education on the United States. I have been able to volunteer with the many programs they have set up to help bridge the gap between the United States and Spain. They throw parties to celebrate U.S. holidays not celebrated in Spain, such as our celebration of Thanksgiving this past week. American students cooked typical Thanksgiving dishes for Spaniards to try, giving them a taste of what life is like for us on this day at home.
Back in October, I played a part in a huge Halloween party the Space threw for kids in the community. My friends and I dressed up, painted faces, and passed out candy to those who came. We had costume contests, haunted graveyards, and slime machines.
Besides language exchanges, one of my favorite events the American Space holds happens every Friday night. Groups of girls from the community gather and do STEM activities together. They use this time to promote the need for females in math and science job fields and give girls the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge on the subject.
While I may be thousands of miles away from my home in the United States, I feel like of piece of America is here among these people.
