This program organized by Spain’s Ministerio de educación, cultura y deporte has given a great opportunity to many of our graduates. You get to live in Spain for at least a year while developing your teaching skills. The application is somewhat complicated, but it is worth your time.
Ling Chen wrote an exceptionally intriguing account of several Chinese international students and their experiences as foreigners in the United States. Naturally, this evoked a world of comparability as well as relativity being a reader who has studied abroad in another country. I was particularly captured by Chen’s theory of sense-making. The steps involved in the process made me think more specifically about how I had progressed to reach an eventual understanding of foreign culture just as these students had when I was in Granada, Spain.
Just as the Chinese ‘sojourners’ had done, I assumed to some extent that I knew what to expect from Spain upon arrival. Yet I feel this pertains to most people who travel anywhere; they think they know everything. But it is true, to know or assume to know, is never the same as to experience, and everything I thought I knew proved almost useless. Continue reading
When I first came to UMass, I had no idea what I wanted to major in…even less of an idea that I would end up getting a degree in Spanish. I knew shortly after I learned to walk, however, that I am not the type meant for an office job, or for that matter anything that restricts me from running around, kicking down doors, and catching bad guys. Maybe I watched way too much Law and Order growing up, but nevertheless I decided one day that I wanted to pursue military service and eventually a career as an FBI agent. I ended up enrolling at UMass in the fall of 2010 as a Political Science major.
I chose Polisci because a good friend of mine’s parents are both agents and told me it was the most useful major to pursue Government work. I also started a Spanish minor simply because I got good grades in Spanish classes in high school and figured a second language would only help my chances of making the rigorous cut into the Bureau. Continue reading
When I first started applying to colleges I’d originally declared myself as a music major. But half way through the applications I stopped; something just didn’t feel right about it. As passionate as I was about singing and dancing, I felt that maybe I should embark on a path that was a bit more academically oriented. In my heart I knew that I would always be able to pursue my love for the performing arts on the side no matter what. And so, I dove into my freshman year head first as a declared Spanish Major. However, my perception of what that meant then and what it means now has transformed dramatically.
At 18 years old I was fresh out of high school. Quite frankly, I didn’t even want to be at UMASS to begin with, so needless to say I was somewhat of a miserable person. When people asked me ‘Why Spanish?’ I would say “because it’s the only other thing I’m good at.” I was more than bitter about not pursuing my musical aspirations and felt that I’d made a huge mistake. I even spent a great deal of time after first semester sophomore year considering switching my major over to vocal performance. I hit a wall that I never imagined I’d hit; I didn’t want anything to do with Spanish anymore. Continue reading
Going into college I knew I would study something I loved. I wouldn´t be able to fathom it otherwise. I remember the time I worked at my dad´s office for 3 days filing and shredding paper—I quit after day 2. When I find something that moves me and inspires me and throws my mind through a loop, I thrive. When I am forced to complete a task which to me seems bland, mundane and without greater purpose…well, I struggle.
The idea of study abroad was a no brainer for me. It had always been a dream of mine. It excited me to think that after all those years of fantasizing, I could finally take action and do it one day, given the chance. Those days were drawing nearer as high school ended, and I was ready. After graduating high school I was finally a free(r) bird and planned on flying the coop to start seeing the world. Continue reading
The Thatcher Language House offers a great opportunity to live in a setting that allows you to speak Spanish and share your interests about the Spanish-speaking world. The deadline to apply for this great program is March 10.
The Maureen Flanagan Scholarship seems to be specifically designed for students in our Integrative Experience. I urge you to consider applying.
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for undergraduate students, with a preference for women, who have financial need as demonstrated in the content of their Financial Aid Application. The scholarship will offer students opportunities above and beyond the standard college experience such as, but not limited to, research, summer internships, alternative spring breaks, community service, or other initiatives that complement and enhance the chosen course of study of the students selected.
The State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools is a great resource for those of you interested in exploring teaching opportunities abroad. I highly recommend you explore their page.
So today David Beckham announced his plans to start an MLS franchise in Miami. I think this is great for the sport and the league but I was watching the press conference and noticed a reporter who asked a question in Spanish. This is obviously not a surprise in Miami but I wanted to point out what I saw as a mistake by the interpreter. Check out this video at around the 45:30 minute mark. The reporter asks a question about including diverse ‘American’ backgrounds in the new members of the Miami team. I believe that the reporter was more interested in the Latin American representation in the club because the Latin American people and culture are what makes Miami, Miami. Nothing huge but I found it interesting, check out the video and let me know what you think.
Chau
The fall semester was coming to an end and I was soon to be headed back state-side for winter break. After 3 weeks at home, I would return to Madrid, España, where I would spend the rest of my senior year. I find that many people are surprised when they hear about my decision to spend my entire senior year abroad. Some people even think I’m crazy for it, and maybe they are right (depending on what their definition of crazy is), but this was an opportunity I couldn’t possibly pass up! A chance to study, live, and dance in Madrid for an entire year, stay with a host family and travel throughout Spain as part of my academic program? Hecho. Become more independent, learn to navegar y moverme por la ciudad, and live a completely different lifestyle than ever before (i.e. Madrid, Spain and Europe)? Hecho y hecho. I could suggest that perhaps they are the crazy ones for not craving to experience the world, but hey, everyone is on their own path, and this is mine.
Rewind to pre-departure: Continue reading