| Friday, June 16
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Reflections on study abroad |
I have lived in Europe. Being able to someday tell my grandkids about this experience is just one of the advantages I found in my semester of studying abroad.
For four months I was a resident of Spain. I attended a university, attempted to speak the Spanish language and dress in a similar manner. I adjusted to their culture.
Ever since I was a small child, I wanted to be fluent in as many languages as possible. In high school I decided to focus on Spanish. As a business major, it seemed most applicable to study in Spain.
Since I decided spring of my sophomore year was a good time, I started looking at locations the spring of my freshman year. Over the summer I applied to the study abroad agency I wanted to go through, and fall of my sophomore year I applied to the K-State study abroad program.
Upon being accepted to both the agency and the K-State program, I began to pay for the experience. Don't get me wrong, although it is possible to study abroad for approximately K-State in-state tuition costs, many programs or locations end up costing significantly more. Between the program cost (housing, tuition, food and fees), K-State’s fees (a $500 fee to keep your student status at K-State), and spending money, I spent around $14,000.
K-State is currently pushing for more students to study abroad. My guess is many of you have been visited in at least one class by somebody encouraging you to study abroad. I have to agree with them. It will change you as a person, and possibly increase your appeal to future employers.
In Spain, I made a few decisions that I believe made my experience such a successful one. I decided to stay with a host family who only spoke Spanish, and that alone greatly increased the amount of Spanish I was forced to use. I also chose to take all classes in Spanish. As a result, my understanding of spoken Spanish skyrocketed. Regardless of how you do it, immerse yourself in the culture. The cultural experience is one of the main reasons you should be there.
I experienced many cultural differences, and contrary to what I expected, I felt a sense of culture shock. In retrospect, it was a good thing because it reminded me I was doing something out of the ordinary and kept me focused.
I traveled around Europe on a couple breaks, but also took the time to learn my country. The majority of my travels were in Spain. Slightly disappointing is that now the European Union countries don't always stamp passports. How sad.
Regardless, I still did as the Romans do. I stared at the Sistine Chapel and ate true Italian pizza and pasta. I watched an amazing sunrise on a Portugal beach, and I found the Eiffel Tower. I walked the Charles Bridge and saw the world-famous Astronomical Clock. Maybe more importantly, I made life-long friends. How do I know we'll remain friends? Our six-month reunion is already planned. We're meeting in the Los Remedios of the United States, right here in Manhattan.
I miss Spain, but one of the biggest changes I saw in myself is my outlook on the United States. Before I left, the stereotypical American often annoyed me. We're loud, rude, egocentric, filthy rich and rarely take advantage of the gifts we're given. After being away from the United States for four months I have a greater appreciation for my home country.
If you're even considering studying abroad, do it. It's expensive, true, but there are scholarships specifically for study-abroad students. There are also student loans. My semester in Spain will always be one of the highlights of my life. And it was an investment that I will never regret.
source: kstatecollegian.com |
posted by ^%&^
@ 1:41 PM
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