Category Archives: Study abroad

Salamanca Summer Program

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As a foreign language major (or minor), I think that having a study abroad experience is so important. Last spring I decided last minute that I wanted to do the Summer Salamanca program in Spain.  I was in desperate need of credits in order to graduate in a timely manner and I had heard from a friend who did this program that it was amazing and that you get 9 credits. I thought that this sounded amazing and was very happy to hear that you get 9 credits in just one month. It seemed like an opportunity I could not pass up.  Continue reading →

Finding Comfort in Being Uncomfortable

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Currently, I am finishing my Fall 2019 semester of my senior year of college. However, it wasn’t until the end of my sophomore year that I fully declared my major in Spanish. Between graduating high school and entering college, I took a gap semester to Central America. Therefore, I entered UMASS in the Spring semester. Not only was I unsure of what I wanted to study, but I also wanted to be involved in an experience involving learning about other cultures. I additionally wanted to focus on my own personal growth. Initially, I was extremely nervous going to a location that I was unfamiliar to. When I mentioned to other people where I was going for my gap semester, often times, their reaction wasn’t as positive as I anticipated. This was commonly affiliated with their ideas regarding safety in such areas. The initial responses I got from other people about where I was going provoked high anxiety and doubt in continuing with the program. However, it was one of the best things I have ever done. Continue reading →

Learning the Value of Connections Through Language

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When I went to college, I was certain that I wanted to be a doctor. I had taken Spanish classes from 7th-12th grade, and I planned to continue to take them, mostly per the suggestion of my parents. I completed three semesters at the University of New Hampshire studying Biomedical Sciences, on the pre-med track, and planning to minor in Spanish. During my time there, I toyed with the idea of changing my major a few times, and went through the typical add-drop period taking some natural resource conservation classes, or some sustainable agriculture classes, but ultimately ended up sticking with my original plan. I spent my time at UNH generally unhappy, mostly because I refused to put myself out there upon arrival in college. I was shy and was uninterested in having what I thought to be forced conversations with people, so I isolated myself and ended up often being pretty lonely. I applied to transfer, but then doubted my gut feelings and tried to push them away, convincing myself that I simply had to give UNH more of a chance. Finally, right around the approach of finals during my sophomore year fall, I woke up one morning and something just snapped. I was done being in this cycle of misery that I was caught in. I opened my laptop and submitted an application to transfer to UMass for the following spring semester. I called my mom after the fact, and told her what I’d done, and she was supportive. Continue reading →

Studying Abroad in Colombia

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From the start of my freshman year, I had my heart set on getting out of Massachusetts and pursuing a study abroad program.  Like many students, I was more or less unaware of the sheer variety and vastness within the world of study abroad.  When I finally made the decision to go overseas my sophomore year, I felt at a loss; how was I going to find out which program was right for me?

As so many students before me, I referred to my major advisor through the Spanish department, who immediately referred me to a program in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Blind to all of the other options out there, I went directly to the International Programs office and announced that I would be going to Buenos Aires in the fall.  Needless to say, my advisor at the IPO office was unimpressed.  This is not meant in any way to bash mainstream programs such as Buenos Aires or Madrid, however, this is meant to raise awareness to the wealth of culture, knowledge, and experience that lies within the less popular countries within the Spanish speaking world.  My advisor at the IPO began to show me programs in countries like Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, and after further consideration, I decided that Colombia would be the right fit. Continue reading →

Changing my definition of activism after studying abroad in Santiago de Chile

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Everyday it seems more and more difficult for me to think optimistically about the United States. I won’t delve into the numerous problems I have with the country that I am supposed to call “mine,” but I will say this: just as I’ve learned to critique the United States, I’ve learned through my first semester being back from studying abroad in Latin America that it is equally important to notice its intricacies in all forms. It’s much easier for me nowadays to make assumptions about people in the U.S., especially concerning how they think in regards to certain political topics. For example, I make the assumption daily most U.S. Americans know nothing or close to nothing about politics or current affairs in Latin America, or even beyond. Obviously that is not true, I’m literally enveloped in a community of students that are capable of proving me wrong. But the point I am trying to make is that recently I made the realization that I was conditioned to “dislike” people that disagree with me and immediately dismiss them instead of engaging them within a productive and civil discussion. Continue reading →

Finally making the decision to study abroad

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Study Abroad? For sure!

Prior to taking this Fall Spanish 394 course, I honestly was never interested in studying abroad.  Although I am currently only a Spanish major, I transferred to  UMass Amherst with the intention of adding a STEM major and potentially dropping Spanish all together. With the addition of a STEM major, studying abroad was not really going to be an option for me because I would have already completed my lower level courses and transferring upper level courses would be impossible.  After learning that there was a study abroad program in the summer I became more interested in keeping Spanish as a major due to the fact that completing the major finally seemed feasible, but I wasn’t quite ready to make the commitment. Taking this SP394 course and hearing many stories about how people went abroad and learned so much from their experiences allowed me to stop viewing my Spanish courses as requirements on a to-do list and more as an opportunity to experience new, life-changing things , while being able to be immersed in a totally different culture than the ones I have been previously exposed. I decided that regardless of what happens regarding which STEM major I end up in that I will at least complete a minor in Spanish and in order to do so I’ve decided to participate in the Salamanca program this summer. My fall semester was pretty hectic so I haven’t really started my study abroad process besides making sure that I knew where my passport was (which is pretty important) and making sure that I will have enough money to pay for my trip, but as I continue with my the process I will make sure to keep in mind everything that I have read from the blog posts of my peers.

Studying Abroad with Mental Illness

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The cultural, social, and environmental changes that happen when living abroad are part of the thrill and the essence of your trip. You will be immersed in a new traditions, slang, and garner more complex cultural perspectives for yourself. But this shift may cause some to feel lost during their time abroad and face difficulties coping with their mental illness.

Mental illness is a scary and often times daunting thing to manage and live with. However, proper care and a good support network can alleviate much of the issues it presents and allow you to live a normal life. And that includes being able to study abroad. Even for a person who may not already deal with mental illness, studying abroad can strain their mental health and make things difficult, and it is for that reason that you should prioritize your mental health when planning to go abroad just as much as you prioritize your financials. Continue reading →

Why I decided to study abroad

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Studying abroad has become an extremely popular activity that students in college will do. Over 1,200 students at UMass participate in these programs of studying in another continent. Studying abroad has been something that I have always wanted to do. My dad studied abroad in Argentina when he was in college and he says how it is something that he will never forget. My roommate is an engineer and he has a small window for him to go abroad. His schedule only allows him to go during his sophomore year and he could only pick from a few schools, while being a Spanish major has really given me flexibility to be able to pick a program that I like and have an option to pick between multiple countries to study in as well. Continue reading →

How to Know What Country to Pick

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Picking what country I would spend about 6 months in was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. Why? Because of course you never know if you will have another opportunity to go to this country or spend that much time there. One thing I will advise you to do is make a list of goals first, then make a list of places where you think you can achieve these goals best. You have to realize what do you want to take out of this experience. For one if it’s to actually learn the language ensure yourself that you will be somewhere that many people don’t choose for study abroad. The reason being that you will be with many other students who potentially speak English. If that does occur odds are that you will be speaking more English, you may not challenge yourself as much to go out and find locals and make these great connections with new people. Remember that making these connections is key. That’s how you learn about the culture, feel what it’s like to be a local and essential learn things about yourself that you have never known before. Personally, I would do study abroad alone and somewhere not many people I know have chosen to go. That’s exactly what I did. I chose Florianopolis, Brazil. It was honestly one of the best decisions of my life and the happiest life-changing experience ever. Continue reading →