Why did you pick this program?
I chose CEA because they offered beginning Spanish courses. Throughout college I did not take Spanish classes due to the demanding schedule of a biology major. However, when I found myself with a free extra semester before I graduated I decide to travel to Spain and take Spanish courses abroad. You don't need to be a language major to travel abroad!
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
I say definitely do it! No questions asked! Pick a place that seems like a good fit and just go for it! It will undoubtably be an experience you look back on because it will not only allow you to grow and see the world, but you will discover how strong and independent you are!
What was the hardest part about going abroad?
The hardest part for me about going abroad was the initial language barrier. A lot of students who go abroad in Spain are Spanish major and have years of college courses under their belts, but I was just a beginner in the language. Although it was intimidating initially I felt like it helped my communication skills as a whole grow. Never underestimate the power of nonverbal communication!
What made this experience unique and special?
For me what really made the experience was staying with my wonderful host family. You cannot truly experience a culture until you live with people who were raised in it and live it everyday. My family was so kind and patient with my language skills and encouraged me to speak at home. Being away from your home is always difficult, but it's 10 times easier if you can spend it with a loving family.
Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.
It sounds silly, but being from Nebraska we don't have much by way of public transportation, and I have never lived in the heart of a city as large as Alicante. Learning to navigate the trams, buses and trains was really scary for me at first, but once I figured it out it was like the whole world opened up to me.
What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions or future path?
It was amazing to see parts of the world that I have only seen in pictures. The sights, sounds, and smells were all new. It was amazing to experience and completely different culture and see how others in different parts of the world live. It's one this to be told the world is wild and big place, but it's a completely different thing to come to that realization on your own.