¡Hola, buenas! (Hi, there!) I’m excited to share a little bit more about myself and my choice to live in Ourense, a small city in the region of Galicia in España (Spain), for nine months.
I’m Caroline Mierzwa and I grew up very close to New York City in Rutherford, New Jersey. My mom is Cuban and my dad is Polish, which means I came from a unique swirl of cultures. Our Thanksgiving dinner table never solely consisted of American staples. Our turkey was nestled against arroz con frijoles (rice with beans) and my Polish grandmother’s pierogies (polish dumplings). Another special fun fact is that my bisabuelos, or great-grandparents, from my Cuban side were actually born in Ourense province in Galicia! I have always had a deep desire to trace my cultural roots and experience first-hand the life and surroundings my bisabuelos experienced, before they emigrated to Cuba. I am beyond honored that Fulbright has provided me with that opportunity!
