Online Class: Spanish Culture 101

Mastering the Essence of Spain: From Business Etiquette to Cultural Vibrancy

Embarking on a journey to Spain, whether for business or leisure, is not just about packing your bags or sealing deals. It's about immersing oneself in a tapestry of rich history, vibrant culture, and evolving contemporary values. To truly appreciate and successfully navigate the Spanish milieu, a deeper understanding of its ethos, customs, and traditions is paramount. Enter our course, "Mastering the Essence of Spain: From Business Etiquette to Cultural Vibrancy."

Traveling to Spain goes beyond the mere transactional processes of handling passports and other essential documentation. If you're venturing into the realm of Spanish business, there's a dance of etiquette to be learned. From the intricate dynamics of business gatherings to the subtleties of negotiations, our course equips you with the nuances that can make or break a deal in this rich cultural setting. You'll learn not just how to conduct business in Spain, but how to do it with grace, respect, and understanding.

But Spain isn't solely about business. Its vibrant landscapes echo tales of historic festivals, gastronomic adventures, and profound traditions that beckon exploration. Delve deep into the heart of Spain's most celebrated festivals, gaining insights into their significance and allure. Let your senses be tantalized as you are introduced to an array of Spain's culinary treasures that are sure to leave an indelible mark on your palate.

At the heart of Spain lies its people, fervent and passionate in their pursuits. From the entrancing rhythms of flamenco to the controversial arena of bullfighting, discover traditions that are both timeless and fervently debated. As a nation deeply rooted in Catholicism, uncover the rituals, values, and ceremonies that punctuate life's most pivotal moments.

Spain's evolution is a testament to its resilience. From historical upheavals to its contemporary renaissance, Spain today is a melange of modern ideologies interwoven with age-old traditions. Our course offers you a panoramic view of this evolution, allowing you to appreciate the country in its multifaceted glory.

Conclude your learning journey by traversing some of Spain's most iconic landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each narrating tales of splendor, valor, and heritage.

Whether you're a business traveler aiming to master the Spanish professional landscape or a leisure traveler eager to absorb the essence of Spain, this course offers a holistic compass, guiding you through the vibrant streets of this magnificent nation with confidence and cultural finesse. Join us on this transformative journey and uncover the soul of Spain.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Japanese Cultural Studies 101

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Bible Stories

Course Motivation

Spain is a beautiful, rich and culturally diverse country bordered by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean on its western coastline and on its south and eastern sides by the Mediterranean. It also shares its northern border with France and Andorra as well as the Bay of Biscay.

Spain became a unified country in the 1400s, but before and since, has served as a major influence in European and World history.

Before traveling for business or pleasure, it's always a good idea to know a little something about the country that you're visiting. Throughout this course, we'll offer a brief glimpse into the culturally diverse land known as España. We'll start with a very brief history of Spain's growth through the centuries and then focus on the type of documents that visitors may need to travel to Spain.

Throughout the course, we'll also offer information regarding business etiquette, and some travel do's and don'ts, for both business travelers and recreational travelers. Understanding the culture, attitudes, and behaviors of any culture focuses on its past. In this course, you'll also learn about the most popular Spanish festivals and receive a brief glimpse into tasty traditional dishes and eating customs.

No visit to Spain would be complete without knowing the most popular tourist destinations and options for entertainment. At the same time, students will receive a brief introduction into Spanish religion, customs, traditions, and values. Knowing such information will help you get along in the country as well as engage in business without risking behaviors that may prove offensive.

Finally, students will learn how the changing values and political landscape of Spain have created one of the most interesting yet diverse countries in Western Europe. So let's get started.  

A Very Brief Glimpse into Spanish History

We're not going to offer a deep or involved history of Spain in this course, but we would like students to become familiar with several turning points in its history. Spain is rich in its history of Celts and Iberians; the Celts occupying the western half of the country, the Iberians on the Mediterranean side, and the Basques to the West and in the Pyrenees mountains.

Spain has always thrived in trade due to its location and proximity to both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. As with many other countries in Europe, she was at times under the control of the great Roman Empire. She also engaged in world battles, occupations, and wars with the Germans, the Visigoths, and the Moors, just to name a few.

Spain eventually came to its greatest power in the 16th and 17th centuries, one of Europe's most powerful countries when it came to its many colonies, trade routes, and global wealth. Eventually, the Spanish Empire extended to North and South America, the South Pacific islands, and sections of Europe, including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and areas of North Africa.

The war of Spanish Succession, which raged between 1701 and 1714, divided Spain and weakened her global powers and influence. In 1793, Spain once again went to war against the New French Republic. Again, war literally divided the country until Spain made peace with France in 1795. Unfortunately, peace didn't last long, and in 1807, Spain once again declared war against Britain and Portugal. French troops occupied a large number of Spanish fortresses, which eventually led to several puppet monarchs. 

Spain Today

Over the decades, and into the 19th and 20th century, Spain continued to see and experience strife and war. The brief-lived Spanish-American war, fought in the spring of 1898, further weakened the economic foundation of Spain. The Spanish Civil War of the mid- to late-1930s, led by General Francisco Franco, along with the support of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, led to more internal strife, loss of lives, and the emigration of hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens.

Franco maintained power over Spain until the mid-1970s, when Juan Carlos succeeded him. Under Carlos, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 finally brought democracy to Spain. Today, Spain is broken down into autonomous communities and regions including:

• Andalusia.
• Castille and Leon.
• Valencia.
• Castille La Mancha.  

Tourism has long been economically beneficial to Spain, due to its climate, architectural, cultural, and historical monuments and its geography. High standards of hotels in Spain exceed those of neighboring countries, and transportation within Spain offers a network of highways and railways throughout the country.