During the 2016 American presidential election, I had the chance to attend a debate between two former U.S. congressmen hosted at the University of Granada’s Faculty of Political Science. Listening to a Democrat and a Republican discuss U.S. politics while seated among Spanish university students was unforgettable. Their knowledge of American affairs impressed me deeply. Even more surprising was the chance to directly ask a question to the congressmen during such a historic political moment. It reminded me how connected and aware the world is, and how powerful it is to examine your own country from abroad. Thanks to GRIIS and the University of Granada for making this experience possible.
(Brianna Curran, University of Delaware)
What struck me most during the round table with the congressmen was how much common ground they found. Brian Baird and Dan Miller voiced overlapping views, especially when discussing the challenges presented by Donald Trump’s candidacy. Congressman Baird noted how this election marked a shift from policy debates toward reactionary discourse (a point that still resonates). The event served as a refreshing reminder that bipartisan dialogue is not only possible but necessary, even in such polarized times.
(Melissa Wanyoike, Boston College)
At the beginning of the semester, I didn’t expect my independent study at GRIIS to evolve the way it did. What started as a solo reading of Santa Teresa de Jesús turned into something much greater: a student-led book club that grew into a space for Spanish-language discussion, cultural debate, and genuine connection. We explored poetry by Fernando Valverde and attended the International Festival of Poetry in Granada, where I met Professor Gordon McNeer and discussed his reflections on José Hierro. That final conversation, conducted entirely in Spanish, was one of the most exhilarating moments of my academic life. I learned that Granada itself is a “puente” (bridge) between past and future, between cultures, and between who we are and who we can become.
(Taylor Anderson, University of Delaware)
