By Veronica Cuesta
When do you decide on the idea of going abroad? Maybe you don’t make a choice, the ideas just come one day when you are sitting at the airport ready to start a new adventure. It is in that moment when you think, what is next?
Spain is ahead on the list of countries to visit for study abroad, according to statistics from the Erasmus program, a European student exchange program. In contrast, Spaniards are not the highest population on getting away from home.
How important is learning a foreign language? Is it obligatory to do it outside of your own country? It has been demonstrated that getting into the culture of the language you want to learn is the best way to do it. When you don’t have anyone around you who speaks your native language, you must make an extra effort to be able to communicate, and with time, getting fluent in that language. When you go back home, you bring with you new experiences, new language skills, and a new person. You have learned to be more independent, to be more adventurous. The experience gives you more than you could have ever imagined. Many corporations are looking for people who are able to work in groups, who have an international background, who are imaginative, adventurous, and sociable, and definitely those who are open-minded. Studying abroad helps with all these.
Choosing the destination is the first thing to do. “I chose Spain, because I wanted to get into the Spanish culture, which I had been studying since high school,” said an American student living in Madrid. And he is not the only one. Many universities in Madrid offer courses taught in Spanish and English, for those who are not sure of their Spanish level. I am not going to lie; it is hard getting into the Spanish culture, and the schedule of meals is the worst part. I agree that eating at 3 PM can be a little frustrating sometimes.
Taking the metro, going to class, having fun during the weekends, going shopping, visiting the museums, living your life “abroad”… When you look back and realize that it’s over, you will miss it. You will see how important this is to you. Spanish people are as friendly as Americans, so don’t be shy to say hi to someone the first day of class, because sometimes we don’t realize how important the first week is for an international student.
Young people nowadays are looking for the best ways to enter the labor market and develop a professional career, under the best conditions. Studying abroad is like a bridge that helps you achieve these objectives and more.
18 responses so far ↓
Amanda Otten // Feb 16th 2009 at 2:56 pm
This blog captivates the very reasons I can’t wait to study abroad. I am planning on studying abroad in Granada, Spain in about a year or so. I can’t wait to completely immerse myself in the culture and learn all of the different traditions. My main reason for wanting to study abroad is that I really want to learn to speak Spanish fluently. I would love to be able to converse in Spanish to the point where I don’t have to think about how to conjugate a verb or ask how to say a certain word in English. I think studying for a semester in Spain would really give me a better outlook on the world and help me to grow to be my own individual person. Studying abroad would really make me grow up and become the mature adult I want to be. It would give me so many new experiences and different ways to look at things. I believe studying abroad would give me a new outlook on the world and help me to become a more well rounded person.
Lisa Myers // Feb 16th 2009 at 8:54 pm
I am currently trying to figure out my study abroad plans for next year. I don’t know if I want to go then or possibly the year after, but I am definitely already starting to think about it and discuss it with my family. It is not surprising to me that Spain takes the lead in the places that students travel the most, because I too would like to study abroad there.
I think that it is very important to learn a second language. Not only does it help you become culturally diverse and enable you to travel and communicate with many different people, it is also beneficial cogitively. Studies have shown that the same part of your brain is used when learning a language and when playing music. I think that by learning a second language, your intelligence is strengthened and you can also grow as a person. I don’t think it is obligitory to learn the language in the country. Many people learn different languages in the United States. Although it is definitely beneficial to submerge yourself in the language by going abroad, it is definitely possible to learn at home.
I think that studying abroad can be beneifical in so many ways. First, a person can definitely improve their speaking skills as well as comprehension. Also, there is no better way to understand a different culture than to live in it. I traveled to Costa Rica with my high school Spanish class and I truly believe that I learned more in those two weeks culturally than I had in four years of Spanish classes. I also agree that studying abroad can make a person stronger, more adventurous and more confident.
I am looking forward to studying abroad next year. I think that it will be challenging, but in the end extremely beneficial to my education and my personal accomplishments.
Lena Thompson // Feb 16th 2009 at 11:05 pm
There are many great reasons to study aborad: for fun, to learn a new language, to better study a language, to learn about a culture, to prime oneself for the job market, and to become a more independent person are just a few of the reasons Veronica mentions.
I find it very interesting that Spain is one of the most popular places for studying abroad, yet the Spanish (students from Spain, that is) prefer to stay in Spain. Could it be a stronger emphasis on family and friends? Differences in economics? Better atmosphere? Happier citizens? Siestas? It’s hard to tell.
I have two friends studying in Spain this semester (Seville and Madrid) and both are absolutely in love with the history and culture in both cities. A couple of days ago, my friend Amy (Seville) got hit on the head with an orange while walking down the street. All of her pictures show historical and arquitectural wonders such as beautiful fountains, statues, and plazas. On the weekends she goes with friends to wine-tasting parties. Spain sounds glorious.
Because I plan to do lots of traveling with my major (International Relations), I’ve decided to study aborad in Costa Rica. I think that way I’ll get a wider view of hispanic culture. Still, the pictures, the e-mails, and listening to Veronica talk about Spain makes me antsy to get there as fast as possible.
Part of what DULAP does is get us excited to immerse ourselves in completely different cultures. There is so much to learn and enjoy from studying abroad.
Allie Sielicki // Feb 17th 2009 at 4:27 pm
I understand when the article talks about becoming a different person after spending time in another country. When I went to Costa Rica for three weeks with no one I knew, I truly became more independent. Overcoming language barriers and confidence barriers helped me form into a more confident Spanish speaker. A large adjustment I made was to “Tico Time”. The nickname for Costa ricans, Ticos, combined with the no rushed sense of time at first frustrated me. If something was to happen at 11, maybe around 1:30 things got started. Ticos are very laid back people and enjoy life at a slower pace than us, in the United States. While being there, I was exposed to a culture entirely different from my own and learned new things about myself as well as about people around the world. Understanding time from a Latino stand point would make working with Latinos easier, because their lack of rushing may be misunderstood as laziness or slowness. Understanding different cultures and knowing a language gives someone a definite edge when applying for a job and makes that person a global asset for that company. I believe in schools language learning should have more emphasis and required to learn for at least a couple years.
Kaitlyn Kandray // Feb 18th 2009 at 10:18 am
This is exactly why I am going to study in Spain next year. Since I was a freshmen in highschool, I’ve always known I wanted to study abroad. One of my cousins studied abroad in Ireland for a semester when I was a freshmen. When I heard of her experiences, I knew that I HAD to study abroad when I went to college. I chose Spain because now that I have taken 5 years of Spanish class, I think it would be an awesome experience to be totally emersed in the culture/language. Another reason I want to go to Spain is that whenever I learn something new about the culture in Spain, I want to experience it for myself. I know that the schedule in Spain is going to be so different than the one I’m used to here, but I’m excited to try it out and see how people in a different culture live their day-to-day lives.
Morgan Owen // Feb 18th 2009 at 5:44 pm
This blog has me even more excited about studying abroad next semester! I’ve wanted to study abroad for as long as I could remember. My parents wouldn’t let me be an exchange student in high school and because of a few major changes I haven’t been able to until next fall when I will be in Seville, Spain. I hope to do part of my student teaching in Latin America.
I think that studying abroad is a great opportunity for any major and something that every student should do if s/he is able. The experiences abroad are so unique and amazing! Going to a different country, being immersed into a new culture, and just learning how to be a more independent and adventurous person is an experience definitely to take advantage of.
The US culture as a whole is pretty close-minded to new and different cultures. I think if more people had the opportunity to study in a different country they would be armed with a bigger world-view and have more of an open mind. The world is becoming flatter every day. We’re facing many global problems right now and probably many more in the future. Understanding and respecting each other is one way to begin to solve these issues; understanding and respect can come from experiencing.
Emily Sibigtroth // Feb 18th 2009 at 9:06 pm
After reading this blog, this made me even more anxious to study abroad. One of my goals during college is being able to partake in studying abroad. Taking Spanish at Drake has been by far one of the greatest experiences of college, and I think studying abroad would only intensify and solidify these feelings for me. The Dulap program at Drake is exactly what I needed because it forced me to have to speak Spanish. This was a major problem I discovered in high school. I memorized conjugations and tenses and vocabulary, but I never applied it. I think studying abroad would only Dulap at Drake but intensified much more. Being in and surrounded by the culture would literally force me to use the language and immerse myself in the culture. According to UniSpain.com
To study Spanish in Spain is the most effective and easiest way to learn the Spanish language. The reasons why studying abroad is so efficient lies in the combination between daily classroom teaching and learning by living and participating in the society / day-to-day life. In fact, language experts agree that you will learn the same by studying 2-4 weeks in a foreign country as studying a foreign language over 1 year in your own country.
I agree with Veronica about the numerous skills you attain from traveling abroad. Even though I have not participated in it yet, I can see that those would certainly be skills a person would gain from the experience. Studying abroad would definitely make me more independent. I think college has accomplished this, but by being in a totally new country with new customs and people, I would have to rely solely on myself to be accustomed and comfortable. I also believe that I would become a better person because I would be better rounded. I would have to learn to interact with new people and learn new customs. I would have to accept the fact that how I used to live and act at home is not the same in the country I was studying in. This would probably be the hardest part about studying abroad, changing and adapting to my new location.
I do also wonder why Spain has been a big destination site for studying abroad. Maybe it is because everyone thinks of Spain when they think of Spanish. It surprises me because throughout my Spanish career (if you would say) I have been very limited to the amount of information I receive or learn about Spain. I think I will understand more in depth why Spain is a top pick as I do my own research into studying abroad.
Robert Sbertoli // Feb 19th 2009 at 3:55 pm
Es importante a estudiar en otro país. Estudiando en otro país ayudas con el español y el conocimiento de la cultura latina. También, lo ayudas con la mente y el proceso de pensamiento porque muchas veces, nosotros no pensamos en el español; nosotros pensamos en el inglés y después traducimos que queremos decir a español, rápidamente. Pero, cuando estamos en otro país, tenemos qué pensar solamente en español. Cómo se dice en este artículo, estudiando en otro país es muy importante para crecer también y ser más independiente. Por eso, espero que yo puede estudiar en otro país en Centroamérica o Sudamérica. Aunque no puedo estudiar en un país por un semestre, espero que yo puede estudiar por un verano.
Jessica Rubin // Feb 23rd 2009 at 1:00 pm
Studying abroad really does seem like one of the best and most interesting ways to not only learn a language but to learn about and experience another culture. I really hope that I can study abroad eventually, maybe during the summer. Although at times it must be difficult adjusting to another lifestyle–I mean, as the article said, eating at 3 p.m. would definitely be a change–it still much give a great new perspective on the world after living in a different culture. I also agree with Amanda that it would be great to be able to converse without having to think about how to conjugate a verb. Everyone I’ve heard from who has studied abroad has said that studying abroad is what really has allowed them to become fluent in their language. I imagine that being immersed in the language and having to continually communicate in it makes it almost essential that you learn the language.
Sarah Schwid // Feb 23rd 2009 at 7:50 pm
Estoy de acuerdo con muchos de los temas en este blog sobre estudiando en un otro país. Cuando estudié en Buenos Aires, tenía experiencias que me cambiaron. Gran Buenos Aires es una ciudad muy grande, con una populación de un poco más de 12 millones. En El Capital Federal, donde vivió, hay cerca de 3 millones de gente. Aprendí como vivir en una ciudad grande: como usar “el subte” (el metro), que barrios son seguros y los que no, como los argentinos hablan (que es muy diferente que el resto del mundo hispanohablante), donde buscar la comida rica, etc. Es una experiencia que nunca voy a perder u olvidar. También, ahora tengo ventajas para mi futuro. Puedo poner en mi resume que estudié en Argentina. Como Verónica dijo, compañías van a verlo como algo que me ayudó en mi desarrollo como una persona. Ahora puedo navegar una ciudad gigante en un idioma diferente, es más fácil conocer a personas nuevas, en general tengo más interés en viajando, abré mi mente a culturas nuevas, y tengo más experiencia trabajando en grupos. Yo les recomiendo que estudien en un otro país para las ventajas personales y también para las ventajas de consiguiendo una buena carrera.
Jamie Burch // Feb 24th 2009 at 8:03 pm
This blog makes me even more sad that I am not able to study abroad. While I know it would be an amazing experience, I simply cannot afford to go. I would love more than anything to go to Argentina or Peru. I decided to continue my Spanish education with the ultimate goal of going abroad while in college. Little did I know a huge financial crisis would strike the United States.
I’ve always been a person who has prided themselves on wanting to know more about the world and other cultures. When I went on a school trip to Mexico between my sophomore and junior years of highschool I knew immediately that I wanted more. Living with a family, speaking their language, and essentially living their lives for a week was the most amazing experience I’ve had. I learned more Spanish that week than I ever have during my Spanish education. I also learned lessons on culture, adventure, and life. The food, the music, the history was all very overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. While it may not be at my four years at Drake, I will make it a point to spend a significant amount of time in a Spanish-speaking country.
Grant Hahn // Feb 25th 2009 at 9:37 pm
Ever since I was in about tenth grade, I knew I wanted to study abroad. I didn’t know where at the time, but I knew I wanted to. I had been in Spanish for two years by then, and I was starting to love it. Then in eleventh grade, I was able to go to Costa Rica. This further confirmed me wanting to study abroad, but it also confirmed that I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country. Everyone I have talked to that has studied abroad has loved it, saying that their language and personal skills have improved. And my sister, who has graduated from college and did not study abroad, really wishes she would’ve.
I think learning another language is so important. While studying outside of your own country is very beneficial, I think you can still learn a language within your country. But you obivously become fully exposed to the culture of a country if you go there, and you are definintely more likely to become better at the languare you’re learning.
I can see why a lot students want to study abroad in Spain. It’s a nice European country, but it also has a ton of unique culture. That is one of the reasons why I want to study abroad there in the near future.
Meghan Peterson // Feb 26th 2009 at 5:09 pm
Estoy de acuerdo con la creencia que la manera más eficiente de adquirir el fluidez es la inmersión. Alguien se puede usar todas las herramientas de su comunidad (como yo hice en Minneapolis), pero eso no compara con la experiencia de vivir en un país hispanohablante.
Nunca tenía el dinero de salir el país (pero algún día lo tendré), pero en mi ciudad tenía tantas oportunidades de hablar español. Durante las clases, hablaba con mis amigos mexicanos, y mi amiga ecuatoriana (una estudiante de intercambio). Siempre visitaba una tienda mexicana en rumbo a mi casa después de las clases, y hablaba con los niños (estaban tan sorprendidos que una blanca también puede entenderles) cuando compraba mi bebida favorita, Jarritos. En mi trabajo, como mitad de los empleados hablaban español, y por eso la hablaba también.
Esos recursos me sirvieron bien, pero quisiera tener la experiencia de inmersión completo. Mis amigos me dicen que España es el lugar mejor para estudiar, pero no estoy segura. Hay mucha gente en España que hablan inglés, y he oído muchas historias de personas que fueron a España–la gente solamente practicó su inglés con ellos porque ¡era obvio que fueron estadounidenses! Y, como ustedes ya saben, España es un país de muchos idiomas—no solamente Español.
Si pudiera salir a un país hispanohablante, escogería un país de Suramérica, como Perú o quizás Uruguay. Allí hay mucha menos gente que hablan inglés y sería más difícil en no usar la español. Perú sería mi primer opción, porque ya entiendo sus acentos y yo nunca necesitaría usar vosotros ☺.
Cara Pratt // Feb 27th 2009 at 1:57 am
Ojala que puedo estudiar en Costa Rica en la primavera de 2010. Para aprender una lengua nueva, inmersión es muy importante. Estudie la cultura centroamericana en el año pasado y desde que eso, sueño con visitar los países de Centro America. También, desde que era niña, quería viajar a España y Argentina. Ojala que puedo tener la oportunidad de viajar mucho en el futuro, pero dinero es un gran problema con esto.
Uno de mis profesores de colegio siempre hablaba de su experiencia en estudiar en otro país. El dijo que era uno de los mejores decisiones de su vida. Por eso, voy a estudiar en otro país, sin dudo.
Erik Skinner // Feb 27th 2009 at 12:31 pm
For about the last year I have been seriously thinking about studying abroad. This is a good article, and has covered most the topics that I’ve been thinking about, absorbing language and culture, sight-seeing, making friends, classes, etc. The only thing I worry about is the first week, and as the article says, the first week is critical. I plan to study in Spain if possible, otherwise Argentina in the Spring of 2010. I think my curiousity and the desire to learn would outweigh most of the culture shock and shyness. The fact that Spain is ahead of the curve when it comes to studying abroad is definetly a bonus, this article just makes me more eager to study abroad, I can’t wait!
Steven Anderson // Mar 1st 2009 at 6:56 pm
Estudie en España durante la primavera de mi segundo ano en universidad. Fue una de las experiencias más importante durante mi tiempo en universidad. Siempre había sabido que quería participar en estudios extranjeros. Pero no fui seguro cual país fue correcto para me. Decidí que quería estudiar en España porque esta en Europa y habla español. Más específicamente elegí para estudiar en Sevilla con un programa de CIEE. Fue una gran elección.
Durante mi tiempo en España pude aprender mucho sobre la cultura y la lengua. Ahora la experiencia ayúdame con mis entrevistas por trabajas después graduación. Los empleadores se gustan experiencias internacionales en candidatos.
En mi opinión este blog es correcto. Pienso que todas estudiantes deben estudiar en un otro país. Es una gran experiencia para aprender y crecer. Muchas veces estudios extranjeros son el primero vez afuera de los estados unidos por estudiantes americanos. La experiencia es importante para ensenar los estudiantes sobre el mundo afuera de los estados unidos.
Jennifer Gardner // Mar 1st 2009 at 7:53 pm
I agree with the points made about studying abroad in this blog. I remember the day I decided to study abroad, and all the paper work that followed. It seemed like a long process but in the end, it was everything mentioned above. I studied in London and traveled, but if were to do it again, I would definitely have gone to Spain or somewhere in Latin America. It is a really great feeling to go off and live somewhere totally foreign to what you’re used to and learn more about other people and even more about yourself. I think studying abroad and studying another language is really important in terms of connecting with other people, and being a more active member in a global society. If it were up to me, I would make studying a language and studying abroad requirements because I think it’s really important. I remember feeling really independent, and even more open minded. It really made me want to learn even more about all different kinds of people and made me really interested in international relations.
Prof. García-Villada // Mar 3rd 2009 at 10:32 am
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