Paola’s Spring Semester in Madrid

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Wish to hear from a university scholar who did a research overseas program in Spain? We just lately caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Paola from the College of Texas at El Paso who spent her spring semester learning overseas within the inventive metropolis of Madrid. 

Learn on to be taught extra about Paola’s expertise with AIFS Overseas and what it’s like being a world scholar in Madrid. 

Selecting a Research Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period 

Deciding when and the place to research overseas may be tough for some college students (our group may also help with that!), however regardless of which program you select, you’re in for unforgettable experiences that may profit your private life and assist you to obtain your tutorial targets. Right here’s why Paola selected Madrid: 

“I selected Madrid primarily as a result of they communicate Spanish and individuals who had beforehand visited instructed me it was a really full of life and heat place.” 

Teachers

You possibly can think about the research overseas expertise as having two major elements—the cultural studying/dwelling overseas side and the varsity element. Whilst you’ll have loads of time to discover your host nation and immerse your self within the tradition, your host establishment overseas and courseload will play a serious position in defining your research overseas expertise, providing distinctive tutorial experiences you possibly can’t get at your private home college. 

Paola studied at Universidad Nebrija. As she explains, her faculty expertise overseas was one in every of her favourite elements about dwelling in Madrid! 
 

“I liked going to varsity [in Spain] due to the methodology over there. Professors interacted with college students loads and assigned group initiatives, which helped me make associates and connections. 

The primary distinction is that at my [home] college, professors don’t look to attach with college students, whereas in Madrid, they’d attempt to make you take part, perceive [you], and create knowledgeable connection. In my residence college, nobody ever participates when the professors ask questions, however I keep in mind that in Madrid, everybody [did].” 

Paola additionally loved a really snug class schedule—her earliest class was at 11:30 a.m., and he or she had Fridays off so she may get pleasure from a protracted weekend. As a advertising and marketing main in Madrid, Paola was capable of increase her business information and expertise: 

“The venture that stood out probably the most was one achieved for my On-line Advertising and marketing within the Digital Period [class]. [The goal of the project was] to create a model. This venture was actually enjoyable and helped me not solely to develop within the artistic aspect of promoting but in addition within the analytical half.” 

It doesn’t matter what tutorial curiosity or main you’ve got, likelihood is, AIFS Overseas has a terrific program for you. 

Friendships and Social Life 

Whereas some college students choose to research overseas with associates from residence, others select to embark on this journey alone. Taking that first step to review overseas could be a problem when you’re going by your self, nevertheless it turns into a lot simpler once you keep in mind that you’ll be making quick associates as quickly as you arrive at your program vacation spot. Wherever you research overseas, there might be different AIFS Overseas college students who’re simply as wanting to make associates—everybody’s in the identical boat! 

Hear Paola describe her expertise constructing private {and professional} relationships in Madrid: 

 
“I constructed private {and professional} connections by approaching my classmates, participating with my roommates, and embracing new experiences. My recommendation to future individuals is to step out of their consolation zone, take the initiative in assembly individuals, and keep open to alternatives. Networking with classmates, locals, and professionals can result in priceless connections.” 

When you’ve got hassle taking that first step to make new associates, don’t fear! There might be AIFS Overseas social actions that may assist you to get to know different program individuals—you’ll have new associates very quickly. 

Cultural Actions 

Cultural actions are a key a part of the research overseas expertise. They provide you perception into the native tradition and assist increase your world perspective. Each AIFS Overseas research and intern overseas program consists of excursions and cultural actions which might be designed that will help you be taught extra about your program vacation spot. For instance, Paola bought to see a conventional flamenco efficiency in Madrid: 

“I attended a flamenco dance present (included within the AIFS price), and it was unimaginable. I liked the way it wasn’t simply concerning the motion but in addition the dancers’ facial expressions and feelings.” 

Apart from actions included in your AIFS Overseas program, you’ll have loads of time to set out by yourself or with associates and check out all of the cultural actions you want. 

Transportation 

Should you’re an American learning overseas, there’s a great likelihood you’ll be impressed by the public transportation choices. Public transportation makes it straightforward to get round inside your metropolis with out spending a lot cash. Plus, there might be extra choices to transcend the borders of your research overseas metropolis to discover your host nation and any others inside attain. Bear in mind, so long as you’re going to your lessons, you possibly can journey as a lot as you want! 

Right here’s what Paola needed to say about public transportation in Madrid: 

“I primarily used the metro and bus, resorting to Uber after they have been closed. I like to recommend future college students reap the benefits of [Madrid’s] environment friendly and protected transportation system, because it’s well-maintained and barely has points.” 

Tradition Shock 

Many individuals who select to review overseas expertise tradition shock. Whereas adapting to a brand new tradition could really feel uncomfortable at first, it’s in the end a really rewarding expertise. In any case, cultural immersion is likely one of the best advantages of learning overseas!  

Though the tradition in Madrid could be very completely different from America’s, Paola didn’t have a lot hassle with tradition shock. Actually, she was grateful for her new perspective: 

 
“[One] cultural distinction that stood out was how full of life the streets all the time have been and the emphasis on balancing work with having fun with life and spending time with family members. The cultural expertise that helped me develop probably the most was being uncovered to completely different environments and studying to adapt. Navigating new customs, life, and views pushed me out of my consolation zone, making me extra adaptable and open-minded.” 

Housing 

All AIFS Overseas research overseas applications embody scholar housing choices, sometimes a homestay, scholar residence, and a shared condo. Paola was comfortable together with her alternative of research overseas housing: 

 
“I made a decision to stay in an condo, and I bear in mind feeling scared as a result of I might be sharing it with six ladies and solely two bogs. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a terrific expertise with hardly any points. Often, we simply wanted to remind one another to maintain the shared areas clear and tidy, nevertheless it wasn’t a frequent drawback.” 

On-Web site Help Employees 

One of many best advantages to the AIFS Overseas applications is our superb on-site assist employees that guarantee your program runs easily. That is what Paola needed to say about her assist employees in Madrid: 

“Lucas and Bárbara, our Program Administrators, have been all the time responsive and took nice care of us. One factor I appreciated about AIFS was the customized expertise, it felt straightforward to attach with the employees moderately than simply being seen as a quantity.” 

Each program vacation spot has on-site employees, together with a Program Director, who is devoted to serving to you modify to your new metropolis, answering any questions, and navigating any points you would possibly encounter whereas overseas. They’re additionally a superb useful resource for studying native insights or discovering extra genuine experiences away from the standard vacationer websites. 

Remaining Ideas & Recommendation 

Research overseas is an expertise of a lifetime. College students have unforgettable adventures that assist them develop personally as they develop their tutorial careers. Right here’s Paola’s recommendation to anybody who’s going to review or intern overseas: 

“Learning or interning overseas might be one of the rewarding experiences of your life. Right here are some things to bear in mind: 

• Keep Open-Minded: Embrace new cultures, traditions, and methods of life. Issues could also be completely different from what you’re used to! 
• Be adaptable: Challenges will come up, whether or not it’s cultural variations or surprising conditions. Keep calm, discover your choices, and use the assets out there to you. Ask for assist if wanted! 
• Step out of your consolation zone: Say sure to experiences that push you to develop, whether or not it’s making an attempt new meals, making new associates, or touring to unfamiliar locations. Don’t be afraid, and benefit from the artwork of being alone. 
• Make connections: Interact with everybody you possibly can, from locals to classmates and professionals. The friendships and networks you construct can final a lifetime and assist you to in your profession. 
• Benefit from the second: Time overseas flies by, so profit from each expertise. Take photos, preserve a journal, and stay each second. Attempt to say ‘No’ as little as you possibly can. 
• Most significantly, have enjoyable and benefit from the journey! The individual you’re once you arrive received’t be the identical when this system ends. You’ll return remodeled, with new views, private progress, and tales to share for years to return.” 

Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and research overseas like Paola did in Madrid with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that will help you begin your journey! 

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students research overseas. Our applications include many priceless inclusions, 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 assist, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your total expertise overseas.