{"id":1669,"date":"2024-01-31T17:23:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T17:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?p=1669"},"modified":"2024-01-31T17:23:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T17:23:54","slug":"espana-escapades-a-journey-of-goals-and-growth-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/2024\/01\/31\/espana-escapades-a-journey-of-goals-and-growth-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Espa\u00f1a Escapades: A Journey of Goals and Growth Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m Sarah Hoffe, a junior on the teacher track at Martin Luther College. I\u2019m 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!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Expectations for Myself: Embracing Change and Adaptability<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Expectations for the Program: Pushing Comfort Zones and Appreciating the Present<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019t know what I\u2019m 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Goals for the Program: Improved Spanish Proficiency and Travel<\/span><\/p>\n

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:).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Greatest Challenge:<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m Sarah Hoffe, a junior on the teacher track at Martin Luther College. I\u2019m 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7Lhdr-qV","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1669"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1669"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1680,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1669\/revisions\/1680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}