What aspects of media in Spain will be the most lasting in your mind? How will what you have learned affect your media habits or media studies when you return to the U.S.?

Spain has been such an adventure, the media that has stuck with me is the advertisements. They are a lot more direct, concise, and inclusive. They’re not afraid to express a sense of individuality in a collectivist society. I find that to be the most fascinating thing. An example of this, is Gillette advertisements in the metro showcasing a drag queen and a man, or even blatant nudity. There appears to be a lot more flexibility from emotions to expression.

When I return to the U.S, I want to have my own work evoke emotion among viewers. No sense of guilt with PETA’s pet commercials where our society immediately changes channels, rather, establishes a connection to the viewer and the commercial to stay engaged. No easy task when attention spans are shortening.