Wednesday, 31 December 2008
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Studying Abroad in Madrid, Spain Changed My Life
by Anne
By the time I hit freshman year in college, I'd only visited about three other places outside of California where I lived, which included Las Vegas and Mexico (TJ). So needless to say, I wasn't well-traveled. However, my study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain changed all of that... and fast.
One of my mom's clients told her about her daughter doing a study abroad program in Spain and she thought it was a great way to get me out into the world. When she brought up the idea to me, I'm not going to lie, I was scared! I'd never left home for more than week before without my mommy, but I jumped at the opportunity.
As frightening as it sounded, I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. So after about six months of doing paperwork and preparing for my stay abroad, I was off to Madrid, Spain. It all started with Mom.
The whole experience changed my perspective on everything. Once I was content to stay in my nice little bubble in my corner of the world, but after Spain I turned into a trip-crazed-maniac. When I came back from my study abroad trip, I immediately started planning new trips. Not only did I learn more Spanish in three months in Spain than I did during my four years in high school, I also gained a new appreciation for other cultures and their history.
Almost a decade later and many cities and countries under my belt, I still haven't had enough. My study abroad trip opened my eyes and I recommend it to anyone.
Would you or have you studied abroad? And if you could pick any country you want, where would you study and why?
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Comments (17)
That's one thing I regret not doing in college, studying abroad. I have numerous friends that got that opportunity and said it was a life changing experience just like you. After losing my job back in April, I was able to do some traveling to Vietnam and Korea. Only if I was back in school again, I would've went to Korea to study. Their life and work ethics are so different, they have malls that are opened until 4am!
I felt the same way when I studied abroad in Shanghai. I took advantage of the opportunity and traveled to a lot of places in China.
I totally regret NOT taking the opportunity to study abroad. It was something that I've always wanted to do when I was in school but unlike you, my family wasn't very supportive to the idea back then. They think it's too dangerous for me to go to a country by myself that I hardly knew the language or culture. Even now they get scared of me going to freakin' Mexico!
If I was able to turn back the hands of time and studied abroad, I would probably go to Italy, France and the UK. These are countries that I've visited and just fell in love with the culture and its surroundings...man, I can't wait to go back! =)
Omygosh I would love to study abroad!! My ideal plan is to get my MBA in France in a few years, just because I love the country and I wish to move there someday.
Spain is the BEST. I went there for a summer course, on full scholarship, and I miss it SO DAMN MUCH. We're both lucky to be able to experience that beautiful country!
@bella@revelife - Your enthusiasm makes me miss Spain even more.
I agree, we're so lucky. What city did you stay in?
@tubbz87@datingish - France would be an awesome place to study too I think. Do you speak french? I wish I could.
@Ms_Moca@xanga - How long did you study in Shanghai? I have a few friends that went to go teach over there for a year and 2 of them never came back. They got married and bought houses... haha.
@anne - I was in Shanghai for half a year. I volunteered at a migrant school when I was there too. I got attached to those kids so easily. But I couldn't stay. I had to come back and finish my degree. Congrats to your friends. Lol.
@Ms_Moca@xanga - You should write a feature about your time in Shanghai and how you were attached to the kids and submit for featured post. =)
@anne - I've actually taken a few french classes to get a DELF certificate which basically shows people that you can speak french fluently. You should definitely take a course or something, it's sooo worth it =)
@anne - I studied in Granada (Universidad de Granada), but I've been to six other provinces - Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Barcelona, Segovia and Salamanca. They are ALL wonderful, but my ultimate favourites are Granada and Madrid. :) I can't wait to return to those two places to regain the bits of my heart that are floating there!
@bella@revelife - That's so exciting! I really want to study in Salamanca next summer, I think it would be a truly amazing experience.
Either that or the trip that goes through my University's business school to Italy
@stretch7@xanga - Salamanca is beautiful! I've visited the province and the university. You'll have a blast, trust me. :) Italy would also be nice (that's the next place I want to go in Europe). But Spain is always my first love!
@bella@revelife - I lived in Europe when I was younger in both Italy and Germany, and I visited a lot of places but I never got to Spain which is part of the reason Spain is my first choice right now. And well, I'd love to be more fluent in Spanish, six years of study and I feel like I"m on the brink, I'd love to have that final push.
Italy is GORGEOUS, I strongly STRONGLY recommend spending the greater part of your trip in Southern Italy (but I might be a tiny bit biased since I lived in Naples), I feel like the people are nicer there, and the food is more of what you would think of when you think "hmm Italian food"
Northern Italy I feel has a more...snooty feel about it (for lack of a better word), though Florence and Venice are definately worth seeing.
i studied in singapore and also shanghai, china--it seriously changes your life immensely! i see it happen to not only myself, but also many friends...going over to a new culture and way of life/thinking/etc--it broadens your perspective on everything and alters who you are. for me, it also helped me to break out of my shy shell by lots! :)
i highly recommend anyone considering study abroad programs to GO GO GO!!!
Yep, I studied my 5 years of secondary school in Madrid, Spain. I plan to take a scholarship to get my MA there soon :) Gotta love Spain <3
I would go back to France, Spain or Italy since I loved those countries when I traveled there a few years ago.