How did you choose your study abroad destination? What attracted you from that program, city, and country?
As cliché as this sounds, I decided to study in Spain after hearing my high school Spanish teacher speak about his experience walking el Camino when he was in college. After researching the country, I became more familiar with the autonomies and decided on País Vasco, in its abundance of multicultural immersion and available programs. Being from an island originally, I knew I wanted to be near water and San Sebastián became the right option. I was also drawn towards USAC, in its ability to connect students from countless universities nationwide. I was looking forward to meeting friends outside of UMass.
How did the courses you took abroad fit into your academic path? Which courses were your favorites?
Being a biology major, I was not able to take classes abroad. To better accommodate this, I decided to double major with Spanish. I was already minoring, and after devoting so much time to my enrichment in the language, it seemed like the right decision. My language class was small and the attention per student was incredible. I had the most amazing teacher and my grasping of the language in those four months or so was more than my 10+ years of the language back in the United States. My teacher was very meticulous in his mannerisms of teaching the class, and he truly covered topics that were useful in everyday conversation. I became so much more confident speaking with locals and feeling more at home in San Sebastián.
Where did you live while studying abroad? What would you remark from that experience?
I lived in an apartment with two other girls from the program. I was on the fence about whether to live in a homestay or not, but I think I made the right decision for myself. I was lucky enough to be assigned two girls, from opposite ends of the country. One roommate was from California, and the other from Minnesota. We learned so much about each other and how different growing up was for all of us. My program was quite small, and friendships developed quickly. I never felt homesick or alone. I am so grateful to say I made friends for life.
What did you do in your spare time? What activities did you like?
I spent a lot of time in Spain. As friends from the program traveled all around Europe, I felt more inclined to stay in my home country and travel there. I am proud to say I covered most of Spain. I made friends with a local who graciously took me to some of the coolest places I have ever seen in northern Spain. On Thursday nights in San Sebastian, all my friends from the program and my new local friends would meet and spend time together. We would celebrate our experience with pinxos and new food experiences from the Basque country. It was beyond moving to be able to learn so much about a people and their culture, but twice in one city. Castellano and Euskara, Spanish and Basque, there was so much to learn.
What advice would you give to a student considering studying abroad in this program?
Absolutely! 100% Do it! Step out of your comfort zone. Study abroad in a less-touristy place. There is so much to benefit from in unconventional learning outside of the classroom. There is no better way to discover new perspectives and so much more about your independent self.