Profile: Bobcat Abroad

Bobcat Abroad: Sarah Merullo

Full Name: Sarah Lauren Merullo

Age: 20

Nickname: Merullo, Skunkerullo, Rah, Surah

Location Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Other Countries You Have Visited While Abroad: France, Austria, going to Italy

Institution Where You Are Studying: Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain

Favorite Class: Poesía Contempóranea Espanõla

Last Meal You Ate: cheese omelette (for dinner….at 930 pm….thats how the Spanish roll)

Last Historic Site You Visited: Los Jardines del Palacio Real (Royal Palace gardens)

Favorite National Artist: Enrique Iglesias (I guess?)

Favorite National Athlete: Casillas, Real Madrid goalie (muy guapo)

Favorite Local Eatery: El Tigre – it’s a tapas bar that serves very large mojitos and gives you free tapas with your drink – like a huge plate of chicken wings or these delicious things called croquetas which are mashed potatoes cheese and ham all mixed together then fried.

Favorite National Fashion Trend: I’m going to go with my least favorite here: all the Spaniards wear literally 6 million layers of clothing and huge scarves – even when its 70 degrees and they don’t even look like they sweat at all...also when large spanish men carry small dogs. Also when these dogs wear scrunchies or hairclips.

Favorite Foreign Word (in your host country’s native language): phrase: EN SERIO (seriously)

Describe Your Favorite Experience To Date: Tough choice. I mean I haven’t gone skydiving or canyon jumping so Beats has got me beat (haa) with the intensity and extreme sports factor….one of the coolest experiences was going to my host mother’s grandaughter’s baptism and after-fiesta with her family. We went to a Spanish catholic baptism (I pretended to know what was going on with my host sister’s 7 ft tall german boyfriend who was just as confused as I was) and then had a celebración with tons of delish Spanish food. My host mom’s granddaughter is also the cutest thing ever and scoots around on her butt and screams the whole time. Entertainment + delicious food = great experience.

What You Miss Most About Bates: Bates field hockey tailgates. The lockerroom. Athletic wash. Speaking English all the time. Commons. TEAMMATES.