Having Spanish as a primary major at UMass means that you are required to take two classes to fulfill the integrative experience requirement. In my opinion, both of these classes are crucial to your experience as a student studying Spanish, and I’ll explain why.

The course SPANISH 394PI is a two-credit class that meets weekly over the semester. In this class, students prepare for their integrative experience. The integrative experience can be one of the numerous opportunities that allow you to use Spanish in your daily life. Most students choose to study abroad; however, that is not the only option. There are also opportunities to engage in language service-learning or internships that qualify as an integrative experience. Throughout the semester, students learn about the opportunities they can pursue to complete the integrative experience requirement and participate in discussion boards that allow them to anticipate their future experiences. At the end of the class, students make a short presentation on what they will be doing for their integrative experience. Presenting my plans for my integrative experience was my favorite part of the class and in my opinion the most useful. Preparing a PowerPoint with the key information on my study abroad program helped me feel better prepared for the experience I was about to undergo. Additionally, I enjoyed seeing the different experiences that my peers were preparing for. There definitely was a sense of camaraderie, as many students were nervous about their plans to study in a foreign country. Knowing others were feeling the same, these discussions and presentations eased my nerves.

The course SPANISH 494RI is a one-credit class that meets bi-weekly. In this class, students reflect on their integrative experiences over the semester. Throughout the semester, students participate in discussion forums that elicit meaningful conversations and reflections about the similarities and differences between their experiences. The first class assignment is a show-and-tell in which students must present an aspect from before, during, and after their experiences. I found this assignment highly useful since it allowed me to consider how I’ve grown not only as a Spanish student but also as a person by studying abroad. After returning from studying abroad, most students jump right back in where they left off at UMass, without fully understanding the impact their time in their integrative experience had on them. Especially when entering the workforce, it is important to know how your experiences have helped you achieve your goals and how they will continue to do so to eventually pursue a career.

Thanks to the integrative experience classes, I was able to thoroughly prepare for and reflect on my time abroad and its implications for my future, which is why I think these classes are the best!