<p>Does anyone have any study abroad experience in Spain? I'm a Spanish major with an absolute LOVE of Spanish culture...the northern Castilian "ceceo" and the overal Spanish "vosotros" are LOVELY! I plan on going to Spain to study abroad in college, either my sophomore (preferably) or junior years [I'm an incoming freshman]</p>
<p>Well here's the thing...I'm vegetarian. Spain is ALL about the "carne", apparently.... = (</p>
<p>I'm sure there MUST be Spanish vegetarians.....right....? I'll be living with a family who will know that I'm vegetarian....I can only hope it'll work out.</p>
<p>Any advice for a potential US vegetarian student travelling to Spain for an academic year?</p>
<p>It is good that you are thinking about this early, because you may be able to find your niche in Spain by working with providers who have homestay families that are vegetarians, or those who have hosted vegetarians. As you probably already know, living in a homestay is also a great way to improve your Spanish and learn about daily life in Spain! Because you’re willing to adapt to another family’s homelife you will be changed and become a new person.</p>
<p>One thing I learned working with many programs at a college campus is that some homestay families who are kosher prepare food in a way that is perfect for a vegetarian. I would look for a program that has a large percentage of students living in homestays, and ask if they have families in the location you want who can accommodate a vegetarian student (you). </p>
<p>The program that first comes to mind is ISA, which is in 10 cities in Spain, all university programs, and has mostly homestay options for it students. For other program options, check GoAbroad.com. </p>
<p>Hamilton College’s Academic Year Abroad in Spain program requires students to stay with a host family, and you can request one that will accommodate your dietary needs. I suggest you check their site out!
[Hamilton</a> College - Academic Year in Spain - Home](<a href=“http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/hcays/]Hamilton”>About - About - Hamilton College)</p>
<p>Hi! I understand that you intend to stay with a host family and probably you won’t have to go to any kind of dinning hall, but just in case you are interested. I went to Madrid with several classmates on a high school trip and we stayed in the “ciudad estudiantil” and in the dinning hall, there always was an option for vegetarians. As long as I can remember, one of the two dishes they offered was one with no meat and the other one had meat in it. I think that as long as you eat cheese and fish you should have almost no problem. And I think that they have sandwiches made for vegetarians (mostly with cheese) and salads and “guisos” with no meat. But it is a pity, because meat is a big part of their diet and they have a lot to offer. :(</p>
<p>Hmm I just researched this about my college and they offer a program in Seville either for one semester or an entire academic year. I’d live with a host family, taking meal’s with them and everything else that goes along with that. So I could definitely request a vegetarian-friendly family. Seville’s quite a large city (well…not nearly as big as Barcelona or Madrid!) but last I checked it was around 1 million people, so I’m really hopeful to find a family that fits!</p>
<p>The main reason I’m pretty much stuck with this college-affiliated program is because my college will only pay (and by pay I mean everything…) to send its students out into the world on affiliated programs…so I’m REALLY REALLY hoping to find a family that’s vegetarian friendly…</p>
<p>Oh and <em>please</em> don’t think it’s a pity! =) I’m perfectly fine without eating any meat or seafood, trust me! Blah although there is a part of me that’s like…hmm…should I TRY some completely exotic carnivorous dish and then just never eat it again if the opportunity comes up? In all honesty I don’t think I could…do do do…now I’m just rambling on.</p>
<p>I’m a vegitarian who went on an exchange program to Spain. My advice would be, it is really difficult to find a vegitarian family in Spain… unlikely that you’ll end up with one except by some huge stroke of good luck. Also, you can’t really expect the family to prepare special dishes for you. Don’t despair though! The family are large and nutricious in Spain-- Breakfast won’t be a problem and you have a lot of stuff to eat at lunch and dinner since they serve bread, pasta, salad, etc. You will mainly have to eat whateer is available that isn’t meat, which will work out fine as long as you are willing to make some sacrifises (every once in a while you’ll be eating mostly slices of bread for a full meal). You get used to it in time. And anyway, there is a fair chance that you family will be conscious of your eating habits and go out of their way to accomadate you- a fair chance, you just can’t necessarily count on it. </p>
<p>Also, I would advice bringing some peanut butter/ nutrition bars in y our suitcase, as a backup for the occasional moment when there is nothing for you to eat.</p>
<p>Hey! I got back from Spain in July and I stayed in Madrid. I do not eat seafood or ham so I struggled as you most likely will. However, I did not starve and was able to find great salads and sandwiches. Seville, I hear, is beautiful. Should you decide to go to Madrid (my heart is still there…) feel free to contact me about it! It is the best decision you will ever make in college (studying abroad).</p>