How did you decide which country/program to study abroad in?
I participated in a CIEE-IU co-sponsored program, which involved spending two months in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. I am a Biochemistry and Spanish double major so I chose this program because it was over the summer, which allowed me to fully focus on Spanish classes. Also, it gave me the opportunity to live with a host family and expand my Spanish skills since the classes were also fully in Spanish.
What were you excited about and/or nervous about before your program?
Before the program, I was quite nervous. I didn't speak Spanish fluently, I’m a picky eater, and I often feel homesick or anxious in unfamiliar places. However, I was excited to go out of my comfort zone, practice my Spanish, and meet new people
What was your favorite place that you traveled to or an activity you did while abroad?
One of my favorite memories was watching the EuroCup soccer tournament with my host family and their friends. Whenever there was a game, they would organize gatherings with food, conversation, and excitement. Spain ended up winning the entire tournament, so we got to celebrate with the whole town, and I got to see the celebration in Madrid as well. My favorite place I traveled to was Sevilla, Spain. We climbed a tower in the world's largest gothic cathedral and got to see the whole city from a bird's eye view.
Could you articulate one personal/professional/academic goal you achieved while abroad?
One personal goal I achieved was improving my Spanish proficiency in order to build stronger connections with people from other countries. Living with a host family and taking classes only in Spanish helped me achieve this goal. Although I can still improve speaking the language, I developed stronger listening skills that will help me in my life.
What advice would you like to give to future study abroad students?
The advice that I would give future study abroad students is to not be afraid to try a new experience like this. I also think that students should be confident in participating in class because participation is key in achieving your goals. Also, I would recommend for students to do a homestay in order to understand cultural differences.
