Q: Initially, what made you decide to study abroad? Why did you choose your program?
A: I initially, I decided to study abroad because of the language. I wanted to communicate better with some of my family members who only spoke Spanish, but I also wanted go somewhere new. Flying across the globe to a Spanish speaking country I have never been to sounded like an amazing way to accomplish this goal.
Q: What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?
A: My highlight may have been the time I spent with my roommates. I had two roommates, one from Spain and the other from France, both unable to speak english. Living with them helped me to improve my Spanish as it was the only way to communicate with them. And when we would all be cooking in the kitchen, it was some of the most funniest conversations, even if it was also a little awkward at times because of the language barrier.
Q: What was your greatest challenge abroad and how did you overcome it?
A: Independence might have been my greatest obstacle. Living in an apartment paying rent, preparing my meals, looking for the right bus routes to go where
I needed to go, were all challenges I hadn't faced before. My first meal abroad was an entire cake from the supermarket! It was rough at first, but at the end of my abroad experience, I felt that I could do anything, go anywhere and be just fine.
Q: How did your coursework abroad compare to your courses at UC Merced?
A: When I first entered my class, I was surprised to see a chalkboard on the wall. In a way, the chalkboard serves as an example to the style of my coursework abroad. It was definitely a more traditional approach to education, as we would often go up to the front of the class and solve equations on the chalk board, or we would complete most of our assignments on paper. It was a refreshing feeling to study in that way and in some cases, I considered it preferable to teaching methods I currently experience at UC Merced. With much work being done in class and on physical paper, this meant the professors were more readily available to help you especially because classes were smaller.
Q: What did you gain from your study abroad experience?
A: I gained a yearning to see as much of the world as I can. Although I have always been curious to visit new places, going to the locations I went to, having the interactions I had with people, made my passion for exploration only grow brighter.
Q: What advice do you have for students considering study abroad?
A: Don't let every little detail stop you from studying abroad. I spoke with other students from the US when I was abroad, and many said they almost didnt study abroad. Many other the reasons included a language barrier, different professors, difference in weather conditions, and even difference in fast food. Yes there will be some things youll need to adapt to, but thats one of the most amazing skills you get to acquire; adaptability. It is critical that you learn to adapt because even here at home, things are going to change whether you are ready or not. And in the end, not one of those friends that I spoke to felt that regret for choosing to study abroad based off of those initial worries they had.
Q: What do you wish you learned about studying abroad before you left for your program?
A: I felt comfortable with what I new about studying abroad. I would say if anything, I would have liked to have learned more travel tips because it never hurts to be more prepared.
Q: Describe a typical day abroad.
A: I would wake up somewhat early as I chose to live in city of Madrid and my school was outside of Madrid. I would take several buses to get to school where I would meet up with friends and chat before class. Classes were more interactive than those here at Merced, and some could be quite fun as I had great professors. After class I made my way to the campus gym where kept in shape. Then, it was time for me to return home where I would make food, chat with my roommates, or I would head out and spend some relaxing time in Retiro park.
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
A: Honestly, I think I would go back to Spain to see all of the friends that I made abroad. When I was getting ready to leave, I felt sad to leave behind the friendships that I had made there.
