Adiós España!

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Wow, this semester abroad is finally coming to a close. I feel so blessed to have had this experience. Madrid has really become my home 🙂 As I reflect on my time here, there are things I will miss, things I am proud of, things I would do differently, many things I am grateful for, and most of all, so many different ways that I have seen God’s hand in this experience. 

I feel incredibly blessed to have been immersed in the rich and vibrant Spanish culture during my time in Madrid. Every day was a new adventure, from savoring traditional dishes like paella to engaging in meaningful conversations with locals such as my roommates. This immersive experience allowed me to deeply understand and appreciate the nuances of Spanish life, from its historical traditions to its contemporary expressions. Studying here has been amazing, broadening my perspective and advancing my language skills beyond what I imagined. I am truly grateful for the unforgettable experiences and the invaluable knowledge I’ve gained from this beautiful country.

Beyond the beautiful experiences I have gained, I would approach a few things differently if given another chance. For instance, I wish I had made a greater effort to get to know my roommates earlier. At the beginning of the semester, I felt intimidated by their exclusive use of Spanish. Over the past several weeks, I have formed a stronger connection with them and now realize how much I will miss them. It would have been wonderful to be close to them throughout the entire semester, but I am still grateful for the bond we share now. Another aspect I would change is my approach to journaling. Although I am not typically inclined towards journaling, I know I will appreciate looking back on these memories. Sometimes I fell behind by a week or two, making it difficult to catch up. However, I am still proud of my commitment to keeping a journal for the first time, consistently documenting my experiences even if I occasionally fell behind. 

Another aspect of this experience that I am particularly proud of is consistently maintaining my personal devotions. I have written about this in previous blogs, sharing how beneficial it has been for my spiritual growth. This habit has become an integral part of my daily routine, and I look forward to continuing it when I return home in just one week. Additionally, I take pride in navigating the emotional challenges throughout this study abroad experience. Being away from home, family, and friends at MLC was significantly out of my comfort zone. Before leaving for Madrid, I anticipated a rollercoaster of emotions, expecting extreme highs and lows due to homesickness or missing the familiar comforts of the United States. However, I am grateful to have experienced consistent contentment and joy. Despite occasional moments of missing loved ones, I never felt overwhelmed by the distance. This inner peace and resilience are gifts from God, for which I am deeply thankful. His strength enabled me to embrace each moment and find happiness in every circumstance, making this semester an incredibly fulfilling experience. 

Throughout my semester in Madrid, God’s hand has been remarkably evident in my travels, keeping me safe, providing everything I need, and blessing me immensely. Each trip I undertook was met with His protection, ensuring my well-being and allowing me to explore the beauty and richness of Spain and other countries without fear. His provision was constant, from the practical necessities like accommodation and sustenance to the emotional and spiritual support that sustained me during moments of homesickness and uncertainty. I have been blessed with opportunities to grow, learn, and connect with incredible people, all of which have deepened my faith and appreciation for His unwavering presence and care in my life.

During my time in Madrid, I have been inspired by numerous aspects of Spanish culture that I am excited to incorporate into my life back home in Minnesota. The emphasis on a slower, more deliberate pace of life has taught me the value of enjoying each moment, something I plan to embrace more fully. The vibrant social scene, with its focus on communal meals and lively conversations, has shown me the importance of nurturing relationships and making time for friends and family. The diverse culinary experiences sparked my passion for trying new recipes and incorporating more Spanish flavors into my cooking. I have also learned to navigate new environments with greater confidence and adaptability, skills that will undoubtedly benefit me in various aspects of my life. Overall, my experiences abroad have widened my perspective and will continue to influence my daily routines and interactions back home.

If any of you are considering studying abroad, here is a little advice that I have for you 🙂 Fully embrace every moment and opportunity that comes your way. Step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the culture, even if it initially feels intimidating. Make an effort to connect with locals and fellow students who may be in your program—it’s through these relationships that you will gain the most rewarding experiences, especially if they are locals from the country that you choose to study in. Keep a journal to document your journey; you’ll appreciate having a detailed record of your memories! Stay organized and proactive with your studies, but also allow yourself the freedom to explore and travel the world since this is the perfect opportunity to do it. Lastly, trust in God and remain open to growth because this experience will challenge and change you in many ways. You will learn so much about yourself! Basically, if you are thinking of studying abroad, DO IT! You won’t regret it 🙂

Fellowship in London

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Because of Holy Week here in Spain, Alaina and I had about ten days to travel to Europe during the break. During that time, we visited Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Edinburgh. It was a lot to fit into that short period of time, but I thoroughly enjoyed every city and country we went to. I could go on and on about the experiences we had, but with this blog, I would really like to focus on the church service I went to in London and just how much I appreciated being able to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

I won’t lie; it has been a challenge for me to go so long without attending church. Yes, I watch some live-streamed services, and doing daily devotions has helped me develop good habits, but I miss fellowship and communion and all of the amazing things that worshiping at church offers. 

 

Amidst planning for spring break and deciding which places we should visit, London was not originally very high on my list. I had heard great things about it, but I felt no sense of urgency or strong desire to go there. Alison Foxen, an MLC student currently studying there, mentioned that the mission church located in London was having an Easter service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It didn’t take long for our “study abroad squad” to decide that we all wanted to meet up in London for spring break to celebrate Easter Sunday together. 

 

It was truly a blessing that all of us studying abroad were able to make it for Easter Sunday. We came from all over Europe to worship together. I loved catching up with everyone and hearing about their experiences. We toured London together and enjoyed each other’s company after not seeing one another for such a long time. This experience has really brought us closer together. 

 

Before church, we all got breakfast together at a quaint cafe, then headed to the church where the WELS mission was holding the service. It was an old German church in London with a great location. There were so many people there! I had not expected so many people to be there since it is a fairly new mission, but the church felt full 🙂 I met new people as I had some refreshments before the service started. It was so refreshing to talk to people about Jesus who shared the same Easter excitement as I did. 

 

As for the service itself, I was overwhelmed with joy at hearing the gospel message while being surrounded by fellow believers. The Pastor preached a wonderful sermon, and the Easter hymns we sang brought me to tears. I missed this. There was even a trumpet! We took communion as well, which was so nice since it had been so long since I had been blessed to do that. I cherished every part of the service and was thankful that I was able to go. Even after the service, we stayed around before our train left to talk to the members there. 

 

I worried before leaving for Spain how it would affect my faith life. I knew that church was such a strong way to strengthen my faith, so what would happen after months of not attending? Being here has made me much more intentional about seeking out God’s Word in my free time, such as doing daily devotions. At MLC, I attended chapel, went to church, and heard about God’s promises in my classes. It was structured for me, so I did not feel the strong need to do my own devotions or go out of my way intentionally to study God’s Word. That was an immature way of thinking, as I have now learned the importance and richness of a personal devotional life. I would not say that I took church or being surrounded by fellow believers for granted before arriving in Spain, but I do think that I have a greater appreciation and love for them now. I can not wait to go to church when I get home 🙂 

 

Despite the challenges that being away from MLC and my home congregation has brought me, I thank God that he used this experience to strengthen my faith. He blessed me with resources that I have at my fingertips to dive into God’s Word and study it. He blessed me with the opportunity to worship in His house on Easter Sunday, even though I was thousands of miles away from my home church. God has blessed me abundantly!

 

Bridging Two Cultures

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Living in Spain has taught me many things about Spanish culture, but also about my own and how it may appear to people of other cultures. I had the wonderful opportunity to interview one of my Spanish professors, Ana, who has several years of experience with both the American and Spanish cultures. It was very eye-opening to see my own culture through her eyes and learn more about hers. 

 

Some questions I asked her were about the roles of men and women, her religion, her views on her American students, stereotypes, and much more. Here are a few things I found especially interesting.

 

Religion: I was curious about her religion since I had previously been told that Spain is primarily Catholic. She mentioned that she has never been baptized or gone to church in her entire life. She commented that this is unusual for Spaniards because most begin their lives in a Catholic church but eventually leave. I was sad that she was not familiar with Jesus’ love for her and had never experienced or heard of the good news of the Gospel, but she was so respectful of all religions and beliefs. This also gave me the brief opportunity to share what my faith was all about. Though brief, I was thankful for the opportunity to tell her about Jesus before moving on to the next topic. 

 

Spanish Stereotypes: One of the first questions I asked Ana was, “What are some stereotypes that you think people have about the Spanish culture?” Her immediate response focused on the Siesta Hora. “Some people think we as a culture are lazy because we build naps into our schedule, but I think it encourages us to be even more productive. Everyone thinks that we are last-minute people, never planning ahead or anything. And while that may be true for some, I love planning ahead and being prepared. Also, being able to work well under pressure and on-the-go is a good trait to have. I see it as a skill.” This is a rough translation since we were speaking in Spanish, but I loved her take on it. I could clearly see that it frustrated her to be grouped into one perspective that believes they all are lazy and never plan. She said she identifies with none of those things. While it is true for some (in any culture), it is not true for everyone. After living in Spain for a couple of months now, I have learned to love the siesta hora. It has also challenged me to be more flexible and “go-with-the-flow.” I don’t have to plan everything out weeks in advance to be organized. I have grown a lot in the sense that I am learning to be okay with last-minute changes and spontaneous plans. I really do appreciate that about the Spanish culture. 

 

American Stereotypes: When I asked what she thought about American culture and some stereotypes that come along with it, I prepared myself for answers such as “They are loud, disrespectful, and have no culture.” However, I was very surprised at her response. Yes, she did compare us to Barbie dolls living in our dream world full of opportunities, but she had so many kind and admirable qualities that she mentioned. For example, she loved that we are so “practical” and focused on the future. She often gets frustrated with European culture, which is so focused on tradition and the past, in her words. Ana had the opportunity to live in the United States and learn English, so she came to have an appreciation for the way America operates. Now that she is living in Spain again, she misses certain aspects of American culture, such as the efficiency and practicality of our way of life. She loves the warm and welcoming personalities of Americans (in general) because it reminds her of her own Spanish culture. She has been teaching international students for many years now, so I asked her about the differences in culture within the classroom. Ana told me about Spanish classroom etiquette, where the teacher speaks and the students listen. The teacher is respected and viewed as above the students. She has noticed that American students like to challenge the teacher and discuss material, something that Ana really appreciates and enjoys. However, American students yawn, eat, stretch, and drink during lectures – all things considered rude in Spain. Overall, Ana’s view of America was overwhelmingly positive, much to my surprise. I loved hearing her perspective and kind words that seemed to bridge our two cultures, showing me that we really are not that different from one another. 

 

One comment that Ana made about Spanish culture is, “We are a country of extremes. You are either with me or against me.” In one sense, it reminded me of the politics in the United States. Everyone seems to be against each other and is very opinionated. In a different sense, the people in Spain are a little more respectful when sharing their opinions on politics, according to Ana. Politics are not often discussed with people who you don’t know very well. 

 

Finally, from one teacher to another (future) teacher, I asked her if she had any advice. Personally, I have been struggling with the idea that maybe I am not meant to be a teacher. I have an interest in so many things that it is hard for me to see myself only being a teacher. Ana gave me great advice. There is a phrase in Spanish, “Las personas son el fin, no el medio.” This was saying that people are the goal, not just the means used to get something that we desire. People are the best possible outcome, not to be used to our advantage. This is why she is a teacher now. She loves creating relationships with students and learning from them. Creating connections with them is why she wants to continue being a teacher. She told me that everyone is different and everyone has something unique to add to their lives. I loved her perspective on this. Ana told me that even though I am unsure of what my future career will be, always to keep learning. Learn from being a teacher, learn from students, learn from any and every experience that I have. As a literature teacher, she also told me to keep reading 🙂 

 

Interviewing Ana was definitely the most beneficial learning experience I have had since arriving in Madrid. I learned things that can’t simply be taught in books and classes but can only be learned from talking to people of different backgrounds and cultures. Not only did I learn so much about my own culture and the Spanish culture, but I was able to make a lasting connection with my professor, Ana.

 

 

Halfway!

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Halfway through my study-abroad experience! I can not believe how fast the time is flying. I have loved every second of my time here. Madrid is beautiful, especially now that it’s spring! 

 

These past two months have been spent in my amazing classes, getting to know new people and traveling to new places. Learning more and more about Spanish culture has truly been a blessing, and I look forward to experiencing it for the remainder of my time here. 

It is currently exam week, so I have had lots of time to reflect on my goals regarding academics and just in general. As far as Spanish goes, I am finally starting to feel improvement. I wrote about my classes in my previous blog, but I now feel as though the topics I am learning about right now are starting to stick. My grammar has improved! Speaking, however, is still not as smooth as I would like it to be, but I know I am moving in the right direction. 

One thing that has surprised me about the culture here is the pace. I came here thinking that life would be much more “chill” and slower than life in the United States. And, while I still do get to take the afternoon naps they have built into their schedules, life moves surprisingly fast. People are very busy and on the move. The difference, however, is that the people living here seem to understand when it is time to slow down and just enjoy being with people. I love that. I have found myself needing to slow down every once in a while just to enjoy my time here. 

I would like to highlight some of my favorite experiences so far (though there are numerous to choose from). One trip that will forever be remembered is to Sintra and Lisbon, Portugal. This was a long weekend trip that I fell in love with. I really appreciated this trip because not only did I get to visit the beautiful tourist attractions, but I was also able to listen to the perspective of a Portuguese local. He told us about their culture and history and took us to places that are often missed by tourists. We spent the whole day with him, learning about the Portuguese people and country. 

Another highlight was that my boyfriend (now fiance) visited! It was surprisingly fun being able to play the role of a tourist, showing him all of my favorite places in my home city of Madrid. It was so nice to be able to share with him all of the things I love and have experienced here thus far. We were very busy with tours, traveling, restaurants, and experiencing Spanish life together. I was so grateful for the time we were able to spend together 🙂 

We recently took a trip to Tenerife, a beautiful island in Spain. This was one of my favorite weekend trips so far because it was so warm, and we were able to lie on the beach all weekend. It was a much-needed relaxation vacation before I leave for a very busy spring break tomorrow! 

One other goal that was important to me before coming on this trip was being able to travel on my own. This has not happened yet – however – I am making plans to make it possible! Everything has been so busy (many weekend trips to amazing places) that I have not had the chance to travel on my own. Making plans for this trip is very exciting for me because it will put me outside of my comfort zone. I really enjoy traveling with the other girls here, so making an independent trip will encourage me to rely on the Spanish I have learned. I have heard many people say that solo travel is very refreshing and peaceful, so I can not wait to see for myself. I do not have a place in mind yet, but Seville, Spain, is definitely on the list. 

Something that I want to improve on in the next two months is intentionally putting myself out of my comfort zone. I want to make more friends, travel solo, and keep putting myself in situations where I am able to practice speaking Spanish, even if it is something as small as eating dinner with my Spanish-speaking roommates! I have gotten very comfortable here, which has been a blessing. However, I want to continue to learn. I want to make the most out of my time here. The biggest challenge that I am giving myself for the rest of my time here is to make a conscious effort to tell someone new about Jesus. I want to be a light for Christ while I am here. God has blessed me with this opportunity to study here among people who do not get to hear about Jesus every day, and I want to be the person to tell them about Jesus and His love for them.

Here are just a couple photos! I’ll probably write a separate blog about all my travels, and I will definitely add some more pictures to that one because traveling has been AMAZING.

 

Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

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Four weeks of classes have already gone by! Coming into this experience, I was not sure what to expect. I wondered how strict my professors would be, how much homework they would assign,  if I would feel intimidated by the Spanish skills of my classmates, and in general, how much stress going to school in a new country would cause me. Looking back on these past few weeks, I have noticed several distinctions and similarities. 

One of the most significant differences between school here and MLC is attendance. I have yet to skip any classes here, but my classmates are frequent skippers. Attendance holds a different weight here than in my classes at home. For example, Thursdays (my last day of school each week) have extremely low attendance. Many of my classmates skip courses on this day because they want to travel to other countries, which is totally understandable! We are allowed six skips per class, and only having each class three times a week, we could technically skip two full weeks of school without penalty. After six skips, our grade can be impacted significantly.

The rigorous schedule and hours of homework each night at MLC make school here feel relaxed and not like the most significant part of my life here. At MLC, my entire schedule revolved around how many hours of homework I had each night. I have never spent more than thirty minutes on a single assignment here. It has given me opportunities to explore Madrid (and many other places) and experience the culture. Mondays and Wednesdays are busy with classes from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays just have one class right away at 8:30 am, giving me the rest of the day to explore Madrid and relax. I love this aspect of school because of the extra free time it adds to my schedule. 

Because the classes I am taking here directly apply to my program at MLC, I was concerned about the grading system because I need every credit I am taking here. I quickly learned that the grading system here would probably not be my biggest concern because it is only graded on three levels: participation, attendance, and exams. Many of my final exams are going to be group projects, which will be enjoyable. Professors make it very easy to participate in class, and as long as I show up to class most of the time, I should not be concerned about my grade at all. MLC’s grading system holds students to a very high standard in order to get an A, while here, participating in class and simply completing the homework gets students good grades (based on my experience thus far). 

The professors here are excellent! They are not strict or scary like I worried they might be, but they are so encouraging and actually hilarious. They are animated, excited, and and very passionate about teaching. Since all of my classes are in Spanish, I feel like I am learning so much from them. I am taking four different classes: a grammar class, a modern Spanish society class, an art class, and a literature class. All of them have been very enjoyable. Feeling as though I can understand the professors very well and participating in class has been encouraging for me as I continue to learn Spanish. I also have appreciated that the class sizes are very similar to MLC’s, if not smaller. I have, on average, twenty people in my classes, allowing for good discussions and participation. Overall, I pray that classes continue to go well and that I continue to learn Spanish more and more! I am excited to improve my speaking skills with native Spanish speakers not only inside the classroom but also outside of class.

I don’t have very many pictures related to school, so here are some that somewhat fit the theme 🙂

  1. Journaling at a cafe after class one day!
  2. Our video calls with fellow study abroad MLC students are something that I look forward to!
  3. Classes early in the morning give us lots of time to try cafes to “work on homework.”

 

Life in My Residencia

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My time in Madrid has been amazing so far, and much of that is due to the housing that I live in. It is called a “residencia” that really feels like an apartment. I have my own bedroom and bathroom, which is very convenient, and I share a kitchen and living room with eight other people (two of them being Emily and Alaina:). 

The other girls are amazing! They come from all over the world, mainly Spanish-speaking countries. There are girls from Argentina, Chile, and Italy, as well as girls from Spain. I haven’t personally met every single girl here, but I am guessing that over four months here will give me plenty of time to get to know them! I usually see them and talk with them when making meals or hanging out in the living room. The one downside to so many roommates in such a small space is that the noise carries. I have had difficulty falling asleep because of the talking and laughing I hear right outside my door, which begins around 10 pm and continues into the early hours of the morning. I think this is just an adjustment I will need to get used to. However, I still enjoy talking to them and getting to know them. They can speak some English, so if there is any confusion while speaking Spanish, we can clear it up quickly with a few English words. However, the majority of the time, speaking with our roommates is all done in Spanish, which is a great challenge for me. Some accents are a little more difficult to understand than others, forcing me to try to understand and listen. All of them are so kind and have invited us several times to do various activities with them. I look forward to becoming closer with them.

Another bonus about our housing is the location. I am located in Princessa, the same neighborhood that my university is in. It just takes me a short fifteen minutes to walk to and from classes every day. The walk down the streets of Madrid is beautiful and easy. I truly have enjoyed it. My residencia is also located very close to a Metro station, where I can hop on and off the metro to various locations all over Madrid and get there fairly quickly. The convenience of my dorm has been a blessing so far, and I can’t wait to take advantage of this blessing for the duration of my time here.

The biggest challenge (though exciting) is living very independently. The dorms are very much like apartments, so every meal is on me. For the past two and a half years, I have been living in the luxury of the MLC cafeteria, so it has been quite an adjustment. At first, trying to think of what meals to make, what groceries to buy, and what time to eat them was chaotic. I like to think that my cooking and meal-planning skills have already significantly improved. 

I’ll end this entry with a short and sweet description of my personal dorm room (rm 4:). It is definitely the smallest room in the dorm, but it feels very cozy to me and easy to keep clean. I have my own desk placed in front of the window where I do my homework looking outside into the street. I have a giant TV on the wall (that I can’t figure out how to use) and Vogue posters on the other wall that were already there. Everything in this dorm is very feminine, so pink and green are everywhere throughout my room and the rest of the building. I was able to put up some of my own pictures of my friends, boyfriend, and family to make it feel a little more like home. Overall, I love my housing experience!

First Week in Madrid: First Impressions

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Wow, what a start to this incredible experience! I have been living in Madrid for about a week now and have loved every second. I wasn’t sure exactly what I expected the first week to look like, but this has to surpass all expectations. We have been able to see and experience so much culture in so little time. It makes me excited that I still have four months left to continue learning all that I can about the beautiful city of Madrid. 

A couple of first impressions:

    1. Fitting In: Everyone somehow knows that I am from the United States (whether that be my blonde hair, blue eyes, or my lack of fashion), so they immediately switch from Spanish to English when addressing me. While this is a nice gesture, I came here to practice Spanish! I want to speak, hear, and just be immersed in the language, but being unable to blend in has presented me with a unique challenge. Everyone dresses to be fashionable here, so I wonder if my American style makes me stand out, even though I feel as if I’m “dressing nicely” every day just to fit in. 
    2. Time: Having spent the previous summer in Argentina, where people stay up late and sleep in late, I knew that Madrid would operate on a similar schedule. This has proven to be true. We eat dinner around 8, which many people would still consider early. One of our roommates was very surprised one evening when we were eating dinner so early because it’s expected to eat around 9 or 10 here. I am slowly starting to get used to this time difference, and it has only been a week 🙂 
    3. Relax: Generally, people living here seem to take their time, not rush, and just enjoy each other’s company. I have noticed this in a couple of ways. First, people walk very slowly compared to the United States. I find myself getting impatient with all the slow walkers and need to remind myself that I’m not in a rush and that it’s okay to slow down the pace sometimes. The culture here is also to take their time when ordering food and talking with friends. When I go to a restaurant, I like to order right away, eat my food, and then get out of there as soon as I am done. It is so different here. They take their time chatting with their friends, and the waiters don’t even bring the check or ask to order until much later than I’m used to. So far, this has been refreshing and a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things. They also do the “siesta hora” when the whole city closes for a little bit just so that people can take a quick nap in the middle of the day. I love it.
    4. School: School so far has been going well despite only having three days of it this first week. Typically, the school week is Monday-Thursday morning classes. I love having Fridays off every single week. My first impression of the teachers and the classes has been incredible, and I am so excited to get into a routine with my new class schedule.

 

España Escapades: A Journey of Goals and Growth Abroad

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I’m Sarah Hoffe, a junior on the teacher track at Martin Luther College. I’m a Spanish major, so naturally, that is a beautiful excuse to travel the world to learn more about the Spanish language and culture. I am from Nodine, MN, where I have lived my whole life. So, I am excited to branch out and explore the world finally! 

 

As the anticipation for my upcoming study abroad journey to Spain builds, I find myself reflecting on the goals and expectations I have set for myself, the program, and the experiences that lie ahead. Embarking on this adventure is a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I am confident that the challenges will pave the way for personal growth and unforgettable memories.

 

Expectations for Myself: Embracing Change and Adaptability

I anticipate that living in a new country, immersed in a different culture and language, will be a transformative experience. I look forward to becoming more comfortable with change and developing adaptability to navigate unfamiliar situations. My primary concern is grappling with homesickness as I learn to become more comfortable with change. The thought of being away from the familiar faces and comforts of home for an extended period is daunting. However, I recognize this as an opportunity for personal growth and resilience-building. This experience allows me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown with open arms. I also expect that studying abroad will cultivate respect for other cultures. Being open to diverse perspectives is a priority for me. I pray this experience will broaden my understanding of the world, fostering cultural sensitivity and appreciation. I hope to return home with a more global mindset, enriched by connections with people from various backgrounds.

 

Expectations for the Program: Pushing Comfort Zones and Appreciating the Present

I believe the program’s design will challenge me to step out of my comfort zone as I am encouraged and required to use Spanish in many situations in and outside of school. Whether navigating new cities or interacting with locals in Spanish, I anticipate moments of discomfort that will ultimately contribute to personal and academic growth. Another of my expectations is that this program will teach me to appreciate the things I may take for granted in the United States, many of which I am not aware of yet since I won’t know what I’m missing here until I am abroad. Living abroad provides a unique perspective on life, and I hope to gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and uniqueness of different cultures.

 

Goals for the Program: Improved Spanish Proficiency and Travel

A primary goal for this experience is to enhance my Spanish language skills. I often find myself being concerned that my language skills may not improve as significantly as I hope. Overcoming language barriers is integral to fully immersing myself in the culture, and the fear of stagnation in this aspect lingers in my mind. I aim to increase my comfort level when communicating with native speakers and gain the confidence to express myself effectively in Spanish. Another goal is to travel to a different country on my own. The prospect of navigating a foreign land independently both excites and challenges me. I believe this experience will not only boost my confidence but also encourage me to travel more often. Solo travel is not the highest priority for me; however, I expect I will love traveling with my friends and experiencing new things with other people (old friends and new ones:). 

 

Greatest Challenge:

Undoubtedly, my greatest challenge will be navigating the distance from the people I hold dear. However, I acknowledge that this separation, though difficult, offers a unique opportunity for personal and emotional growth. The support of loved ones will remain a source of strength as I embark on this incredible and exciting adventure.

As the departure date approaches, I look forward to the personal development and all the discoveries that studying abroad in Spain promises. Through embracing change, pushing boundaries, and fostering cultural understanding, I anticipate a journey that will shape not only my academic pursuits but also my perspective on life. Here’s to the unknown and the growth that awaits on the picturesque streets of Spain!