Kali O. answered some questions about her experience in Oviedo. As many of our students she valued her classes, the food, and activities that this program offered. But she has a fond memory of her host family.
How did you choose your study abroad destination? What attracted you from that program, city, and country?
I always knew I wanted to study abroad in Spain after spending two weeks there with my high school Spanish class. As a Spanish major at UMass, I was drawn to the opportunities to further my Spanish language skills in Oviedo. Having a small and manageable yet beautiful city to spend my semester in made me feel right at home when I arrived.
How did the courses you took abroad fit into your academic path? Which courses were your favorites?
I was able to apply all of my abroad classes to my Spanish double major at UMass, which was also something that drew me to the program. I truly enjoyed all of my classes, but my translation and art history courses really stood out to me and furthered my understanding of the Spanish language and culture.
Where did you live while studying abroad? What would you remark from that experience?
While in Oviedo, I was fortunate enough to have lived with an amazing host mother. Spending my semester in a home stay is something that I cannot recommend enough and to me, gave the experience so much more depth. Having the constant exposure to the Spanish language was an adjustment at first, but by the end of the semester, my speaking and listening abilities had improved so much. It was also such an authentic experience, as I learned local recipes, traditions, and hot spots in the city from my host mom.
What did you do in your spare time? What activities did you like?
In my spare time, I enjoyed the natural wonders of Oviedo and Asturias. Our coordinator, Carrie, was unbelievable at making us all feel welcome and comfortable upon arrival, and arranged trips for us to go kayaking, surfing, and hiking (among many others) and take in the beauty of our area. She also organized outings for us to socialize with other exchange students and take in the local Oviedo culture with city tours and restaurant trips. On my own, I hiked Monte Naranco, went shopping at local markets, met with my language buddy (native Spanish speaker), and took day trips to other spots in Asturias. I did travel outside of Spain as well, but it was always so fun to have the weekends in Oviedo since there was so much to do.
What advice would you give to a student considering studying abroad in this program?
I would advise someone considering this program to come in with an open mind. The entirety of being abroad (regardless of where you end up) is a learning experience, and you need to go in knowing that it will be different than your life at home. Your time there is what you make of it, so have the best attitude possible since the semester seems to fly by. Oviedo is so unique, and I personally feel it is a hidden gem of Spain that is often overlooked. There are so many incredible things to do here and the people are so kind and welcoming. If you want an authentic study abroad program where you will feel like a local, seriously amp up your Spanish fluency, and adventure into the surroundings of some unbelievably beautiful places, then Oviedo is the spot for you. Studying abroad in Oviedo was the best semester I had at UMass, and I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity to experience a new way of life.