Program and Location:
Summer, Spain: Language and Culture in Valencia; Valencia, Spain
Major/Minor:
Psychology and Spanish double Major, and Anthropology Minor
Why did you choose to study abroad?
There were a lot of reasons why I chose to study abroad! Academically, I really wanted to have an immersive language experience so I could improve my Spanish-speaking skills. On a personal level, I had never been out of the country before this trip, so I thought this would be a great chance to step out of my comfort zone and learn outside of the classroom.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am much more adventurous and outgoing than I thought! I used to feel really intimidated and overwhelmed at the thought of going places and doing things spontaneously, but living and traveling around Spain for a month was a great way to get over this hump. I also had a great time meeting new people and putting my Spanish to use.
What was one of your favorite parts of your program?
The people! My group, teachers, and host family were all so amazing during this trip. I had so much fun, and learned so much from the people around me. I also really enjoyed going on tours and learning from excursions outside of class. My last weekend in Spain, we traveled as a group to Granada and took a tour of La Alhambra, which is a beautiful palace in the city that is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture.
What advice do you have to future study abroad students?
Really embrace the experience, and step out of your comfort zone! Studying abroad can be really overwhelming and tiring at first (culture shock is real), but it’s also the perfect opportunity to try new things, even if they are intimidating. There is going to be a lot to do and learn anywhere you go, so try to take advantage of these opportunities as much as you can!
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How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at NC State? Did you take any field trips or do anything outside of the traditional classroom?
My classes abroad were a lot more experience-based than classroom-based. While I did have set class times Monday through Thursday, a lot of what we learned in the classroom applied to the experiences that we were having outside of class, and I learned much more about the history and culture of Valencia (and Spain in general) than I would have without the classroom component. We had excursions pretty much every week to different museums and historical sites in the city. A few of my favorites were La Catedral, El Museo Fallero, and the Museum of Modern Art!
Would you do it again?
Yes!
