Park Güell in Madrid!
Author: Faith Rossi | Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
May 31, 2022, I stepped off the plane onto Spanish soil. I was taking it all in amongst the bustling crowd trying to make their way through customs. I couldn’t believe it. I was in Europe! As my first time traveling internationally, everything was new and exhilarating. I found myself reading every billboard and every piece of graffiti art in complete awe that everything was in Spanish. I immediately knew I was in for a whirlwind of a month filled with new cultural experiences, challenges, and opportunities to master the Spanish language.
I traveled with a group of 16 other students from the University of Arkansas on the U of A Faculty Led: Spanish in Madrid program. When deciding where I wanted to travel and with which group, I was at a loss. There are so many cities rich in culture that I could further my Spanish education, but I finally settled on Spanish in Madrid. Looking back, this was the perfect decision because it brought me a sense of peace knowing I was with a group I could trust and attending a university that provided an education the University of Arkansas approved of.
I was enrolled in six credit hours at the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija taking a culture and a grammar class. These courses not only counted as credit towards my Spanish minor, but they taught me exponentially more about the Spanish language and culture than I could have learned within the United States. The coursework was difficult and required daily studying, but the positive environment in every class at the university encouraged me to do my best. My professors knew little English, which required me to use my Spanish constantly and become more comfortable comprehending and responding quickly in conversation. One aspect I was surprised by in my grammar class is that my professor not only taught us proper Spanish, but also emphasized slang popularly used in Spain. Although we were tested on proper grammar, she structured the class to allow us to learn Spanish we would encounter while immersed in the community outside of the classroom. This allowed me to bridge the gap from the classroom to daily life. Furthermore, these classes were interactive allowing us students to build relationships with one another and with the professors. A small culture shock I experienced was how the professors preferred to be addressed simply by their first name. I almost felt disrespectful as I wrote an email or asked a question so casually. It was a stark contrast to proper title and last name the professors in the United States prefer. However, this small difference allowed me to feel more comfortable in the classroom. I knew that each of my professors were invested in my success and would help me in any way to achieve my goals.
After only a month in Spain, I had completed my Spanish minor and become more comfortable speaking Spanish. I was able to apply this knowledge the week after returning in my workplace and on a mission trip to Guatemala during July. I am eager to continue my Spanish education so that one day I can provide speech therapy to children whose first language is Spanish.
During our free time, the group was able to explore Madrid from the touristy areas to the places only the locals know about. I loved visiting El Prado and spending hours studying the art and famous artists within the museum. My favorite piece was undoubtedly Las Meninas. I remember studying this piece in my grade school art class, so seeing it in person was a surreal experience to me. Another favorite place for me was El Retiro park. My friends and I visited El Retiro at least once a week as it became our place to picnic, study, and relax. Lastly, we made an effort to try a new restaurant every night. This became my favorite tradition by far because we ate delicious food in a new environment every day. I loved the places that would classify as “hole in the wall” because I got to taste the food that is true to the culture of Madrid.
If you are given the chance to study abroad, I strongly encourage you to say yes. It is a once in a lifetime experience to fall in love with the people, food, and activities in a foreign country. A simple vacation does not provide the immersion study abroad offers. However, you should keep in mind that you might face experiences that feel uncomfortable at first. Every country has their differences that will challenge your views on what you consider “normal” here in the United States. For me, the transportation system took me awhile to figure out, along with the times of meals. It is different, but I learned to admire the efficiency of the Metro and became accustomed to eating later than usual. There is no right or wrong, just different.
When searching for a program, I recommend being open minded to locations. I did not expect to study in Madrid, but I could not have asked for a better program. You never know what you could learn from an unexpected culture. If you are interested in studying Spanish, I highly recommend the U of A Faculty Led: Spanish in Madrid. The Universidad de Nebrija offered me an excellent education filled with activities throughout the week. Furthermore, traveling with a group from the University of Arkansas was comforting and brought me friends that I can keep in contact with after returning to the United States. The month of June 2022 will forever have a special place in my heart, and I cannot wait to return to Madrid. ¡Hasta Luego, España!