Lauren’s Spring Semester in Granada

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Wanting to observe within the footsteps of a faculty scholar who studied overseas in Spain? We just lately caught up with Lauren, a scholar from the College of North Dakota who did a examine overseas program within the Andalusian metropolis of Granada throughout spring semester by AIFS Overseas. 

Uncover how Lauren’s expertise with AIFS Overseas helped her increase her cultural horizons and enhance her Spanish expertise! 

Language Studying 

Studying a brand new language is certainly not required to examine or intern overseas; nevertheless, many college students and younger professionals select to go overseas as a result of they need to study a brand new language or enhance their present language expertise. For instance, in the event you’re like Lauren and need to study Spanish, you possibly can select a Spanish-speaking nation like Spain. 

There are numerous applications in Granada that would not have any Spanish fluency necessities and go well with college students at a mess of ranges. Lauren participated in a Spanish language and tradition program that helped her enhance her Spanish and turn out to be extra comfy talking the language: 

“My program was taught all in Spanish. My favourite class was known as Oral Manufacturing and Interplay… The category solely had about 12 college students and we targeted on having formal and casual interactions in Spanish with applicable physique language, transitions, and so forth. We have been graded principally off a couple of huge ‘shows’: a spherical desk dialogue, a debate, and an interview. Typically we assumed the roles of characters or well-known folks in Spanish tradition, different instances we have been ourselves.”

Lauren appreciated how the category taught her to make use of widespread native expressions and study in regards to the native tradition:

“Additionally, on daily basis we realized 3 new linguistic expressions from Spanish tradition, understanding the definition, arising with an instance, and how one can use it in a sentence. There have been a handful of instances all through the semester the place I used to be in a position to make use of my newly realized linguistic expression with my host household or with native Spanish audio system! One of the best a part of the category for me was really attending to know my classmates by speaking at school. I realized a lot about different cultures by way of dialogue prompts and varied group actions.”

Constructing a International Perspective 

Changing into completely immersed within the tradition of your examine overseas vacation spot is certain to increase your perspective. Nevertheless, as Lauren defined, assembly different examine overseas college students from everywhere in the world was one other issue that helped her to understand variety and develop a broader cultural perspective:

“A majority of the scholars on the faculty I attended spoke English and a few degree of Spanish. Nevertheless, there have been cases the place I discovered myself speaking to folks in English when our solely widespread language was Spanish. This each stunned me and embarrassed me for assuming everybody in my faculty spoke English. There have been a handful of scholars in my class from China and Japan, and I realized about their tradition, enterprise practices of their international locations, conventional customs, household traditions, and linguistic expressions. I feel this expertise undoubtedly influenced my perspective on the significance of DEI (variety, fairness, and inclusion). I don’t assume I’d ever have the possibility to achieve an understanding of one other tradition so profoundly if I didn’t examine overseas.”

Siesta: Experiencing Spanish Work Tradition 

Regardless of the place you go overseas, you’ll seemingly discover the work tradition very totally different from the U.S. In the event you select to review overseas in Spain like Lauren, you’ll expertise the “siesta,” which is a noon break the place all companies shut for lunch and relaxation. Hear Lauren clarify the influence Spanish work tradition had on her perspective and future life prospects: 

“The workday in Spain began at 9, paused for siesta at 2, resumed at 5, and ended at 8. At first, I didn’t perceive why breaking apart the workday was environment friendly or practiced by most companies. Most retailers and eating places closed for 2-3 hours in the course of the day. After studying extra and understanding Spanish tradition higher I now perceive that the siesta serves to permit households to go house and have lunch collectively. The 3pm lunch meal is their most vital meal of the day, and the largest. This time permits for households to take a relaxation from their work and get their vitality again earlier than heading again to work to complete the day. My faculty schedule adopted the same construction, and I got here to understand the break within the day. After I graduate, I hope to return to Spain to work.” 

Sustainability in Spain 

Each nation approaches sustainability somewhat bit in a different way. In the event you select to review or intern overseas in a European nation like Lauren, you might study extra sturdy sustainability practices, even in the event you come from a sustainable family like she does:

“I’m actually an individual who values sustainable practices. My mother taught me the significance of taking good care of the earth. I used to be stunned to seek out out that Spain recycles higher than my circle of relatives. At my home we make a dedication to recycling as a lot as we probably can, composting meals scraps, consuming from our backyard, and shopping for reusable merchandise. Arriving in Spain, I entered the airport and noticed a single bin with sections for plastic, glass, natural, paper, and metallic. Inside one block of my homestay there have been assortment bins for garments to donate, recycling for batteries, and even cooking grease/oil disposal. I used to be thrilled to see this!” 

As Lauren explains, sustainability in Spain and Europe extends to public transportation (which additionally makes journey less expensive and simpler!).

“Public transportation in Europe usually was broadly accessible and at all times essentially the most cost-effective.” 

Even her expertise grocery purchasing in Spain was a extra environmentally acutely aware one:  

“My host household shopped for produce regionally and walked to succeed in their vacation spot after they may. Whereas within the U.S., grocery shops purchase in bulk and resell, and driving is the commonest method to get from right here to there… Grocery shops and markets inspired bringing reusable baggage by charging a small price for freely giving plastic ones. I’ve seen that follow begin to take maintain within the US, however it isn’t widespread follow… My understanding and appreciation of sustainability have been actually influenced by my time in Spain.” 

Remaining Ideas  

AIFS Overseas examine overseas members persistently report constructive, impactful experiences that assist them develop each academically and professionally, all whereas gaining publicity to new cultures and experiences that foster private development. As she mirrored on her expertise as a scholar in Granada with AIFS Overseas, Lauren shared some related sentiments about her time abroad: 

“My semester modified the way in which I worth DEI and sustainability. I’ve discovered a brand new understanding and appreciation for various work cultures, which makes me need to work for a global firm to have the power to work with folks world wide. I deeply worth the time I spent in Spain and need on daily basis that I may return to the life I had there. I’ll without end cherish my host household, the chums I made, and the unforgettable experiences that AIFS offered me. I’ll by no means cease recommending that college students go overseas throughout faculty, it’s life-changing!” 

Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and examine overseas like Lauren did in Granada? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!  

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and pre-professionals examine and intern overseas. Our applications are extremely inclusive, which takes plenty of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.