Meet Olivia Murphy (She/Her)

Program and Location:

Summer, Spain: Language and Culture in Valencia; Valencia, Spain

Major/Minor:

B. Social Work Major, Spanish Minor

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I was motivated to study abroad because I knew it would allow me to immerse myself in another language and culture. My goal was to enhance my knowledge of the Spanish language while also learning about a new culture. Living abroad with a host family and practicing Spanish in daily life felt like a great opportunity to achieve my goals. I knew that being immersed in a different environment would enrich both my personal and academic life. Studying abroad was also appealing because I had never left the United States before this experience. The chance to learn in another country while traveling to beautiful locations felt like an incredible opportunity. Undoubtedly, finding the motivation to study and complete my work would be much easier in a beautiful new country. Overall, I knew studying abroad would be an experience of a lifetime.

What did you learn about yourself?

This experience taught me a lot about myself. First, I discovered how much I enjoy exploring and finding new places. In my free time outside of class, I often found myself walking around Valencia, seeking out new spots to relax, read, and unwind. This was especially helpful when I felt overwhelmed by the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture. Having quiet spaces to escape to helped me stay grounded during my time abroad. Secondly, I learned how much I love history and architecture. Many of the topics we studied involved famous buildings and architects, which sparked my interest. I found myself wanting to learn more about these subjects, and the guided tours of historical sites became some of my favorite activities. Lastly, I realized how much I rely on a schedule. While abroad, my entire routine was upended, and I had to adapt to a new way of life quickly. Before the trip, I thought I could handle the change easily, but once I was in Spain, I realized how reliant I was on my daily routine. Breaking that routine was challenging, but it helped me become more flexible and adaptable to life’s changes.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?

One of my favorite parts of the program was learning outside of the classroom. Our professor reminded us daily that “if the most interesting thing you learned was in the classroom, then you did not have fun.” This was definitely true for me. Much of our learning took place outside the classroom. Of course, we had regular class sessions, but visiting different places in the city and discussing them was far more engaging than simply taking notes on slides. As a visual learner, being able to see and experience the information in person was incredibly helpful. Out of all the tours we took, my favorite was our trip to the Alhambra. The place was truly breathtaking. Learning about it in the classroom and then seeing it firsthand was a surreal experience.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

My advice to future study abroad students would be to make the most of the time you have. It may feel overwhelming at times, but you will look back and treasure all the invaluable experiences you had. Build a community with the people in your program. Your peers will be your best support network while you are abroad. When you feel down or overwhelmed, reach out to another student—chances are, they have felt the same way. Overall, studying abroad will be challenging but rewarding, and it’s an experience you will never forget.

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?

As a social work major, understanding the values of other cultures is extremely important. While social workers cannot be experts on cultures outside of our own, we can promote culturally competent practice through training and experience. Traveling abroad and experiencing a new culture allowed me to step outside the mainstream culture of the United States and learn about a different way of life. I gained a deeper understanding of important cultural values and practices through my host mom and my daily interactions. Experiencing culture shock firsthand also gave me a better understanding of how people who have recently arrived in the United States might feel. Overall, this experience helped me develop my skills in empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to understand the impacts of cultural, social, and historical contexts on individuals and groups.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely! I learned so much about myself through this experience, and I would love to explore more of Spain and continue practicing my Spanish.