Some of the biggest culture shocks I have had to embrace while living in Seville have included the practices within the education system.
Like in the United States, the grade schools here are publicly funded by the country and are mandatory until 10th grade. Before their child's first year of school, parents can choose to put their kids into preschool, but the family has to pay for the tuition.
Also, there are private schools in Spain. I do not know much about them, but I love seeing the students in the uniforms. At public school, it is not normal for there to be required uniforms.
Most of the primary schools in Seville teach classes in Spanish, but I often see bilingual schools offered, and I have friends in my study-abroad program that volunteer their time to teach in English to Spanish kids. This is a very rewarding process for both the students and my friends who get to learn from their students about the culture and norms in Spain.
When a child goes to school, they are expected to follow what the teacher says completely, which is a lot different from in the United States.
