What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have been fortunate enough to travel abroad a couple of times in my life, and going abroad once only made me want to do it more. However, I always wanted to travel to a Spanish-speaking country so that I could practice my skills and experience the rich culture I had always learned about. There was no better destination, in my mind, than Spain.
Why did you choose Centro MundoLengua?
I chose Centro Mundolengua (CML) because they work very closely with my university and facilitate the summer study abroad program for our Spanish students. CML came highly recommended by my professor, who knows the staff in Spain very well. The involvement of CML with each individual student was unmatched and I felt so involved with the program even before I got to Spain.
Enjoying a day at the Playa Cortadura with friends and our CML guide, Patricia
What was your favorite part about Cádiz?
In my life, I have never experienced anything like the warmth in Cádiz—both from the Spanish sun and the people I met in the city. The people of Cádiz were some of the kindest, funniest, and most friendly people I have ever met. From my professors at the Universidad de Cádiz, to my host family, to the people I met in town, I only have amazing things to say about the lovely gaditanos (people from Cádiz) I met—they were the best part of my entire trip. Every time I walked out my front door, I made a new friend.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience abroad was made extraordinary by the immersion I was able to have. It is one thing to travel to another country, but it is another thing to cook their food, dance to their steps, walk the paths they’ve created, and live amongst the people who make the city so great.
This study abroad program gave me the opportunity to do it all. I learned to cook Spanish food, speak the way Gaditanos speak, live like the locals, and truly be immersed in the culture. The level of immersion the CML provides its students is unmatched.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff on my program were phenomenal. From the moment I signed up for my program to the day I returned to the US, I felt supported and cared for all the way through. The local staff with CML guided us through the cities, took us on excursions, showed up to our breaks at school to check in, and always stayed in touch—even if I just wanted to grab a coffee and chat. I never needed anything that CML wasn’t able to help me with. The staff was incredibly accommodating and supportive through my entire program.
What kind of Covid pre-departure support did your program provide?
Before my program, I was thoroughly informed on the entry and exit requirements in Spain and the US, including vaccination, masking, and social distancing protocols. Both the program and my professor that traveled with my group made all of these policies clear and stressed their importance.
During my program, I was always kept updated on the status of Covid in my city and within my own group. Classrooms were well ventilated and I was alerted if I was exposed to Covid. CML made me feel extra safe about traveling in the era of Covid.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have captured my experiences more. My time flew by in Spain, and I wish I would have taken more time to journal, take pictures/videos, or do something meaningful to remember my trip by. Even if it seems tacky or touristy, take all the photos you want! Write everything in a journal! Create memories! I was too busy enjoying my trip to take tons of photos or videos, but I wish I would have!!
Describe what a typical day in your life in Cádiz looked like.
Before school, I woke up to breakfast prepared by my host mom and then I headed out to study for the day. I had my intensive Spanish class for four hours a day, with a 30 minute break for breakfast/coffee with friends and faculty of the university. Classes were so engaging with amazing professors and classmates who felt like family by the end of the summer.
After school, I’d head home for lunch and a nice siesta. Lunch was always the biggest meal of the day and my time to catch up with my host family. Afterwards, I typically would spend the day at the beach with my friends or work on homework for my classes at one of the quaint cafes in Cádiz.
Twice a week, my group had a cultural activity such as dancing, cultural tours, or surfing after lunch. Then I’d head home for an amazing dinner with my family, and head right back out for an evening of gelato and dancing with friends. Every single day was a dream!
How did you spend your free time abroad?
In my free time, I typically spent most of my time at the beach soaking up the Spanish sun and swimming in the ocean with my friends. If I wasn’t at the beach, I could be found trying cafes, tapas bars, or heladerías around the city. My host parents joked that I only ever came home to sleep, because I spent every free moment I had exploring Cádiz and all that it had to offer!
Could you tell us more about living with a host family? What did you like best about it?
I lived with a host family in Cádiz, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Aside from the amazing meals prepared by my family and the comforts of living with parents, my host parents were the sweetest, most salt-of-the-earth people.
I loved talking over lunch with them about our days or our different cultures, watching Pawn Stars with my host dad, and learning recipes from my host mom. They made me feel like one of their own children and we still talk even from miles and miles away! I could not recommend living with a host family enough!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It. Flies. By. It sounds so cheesy, but the time will pass faster than you even realize, so enjoy every moment!
My program was six weeks which seemed like enough time to enjoy Cádiz—spoiler alert: it was not. By the end of my fifth week, I could not believe how quickly my program went by. CML always made sure we had activities to do, cities to see, and places to be, so time flies by and it’s important to recognize that and enjoy every second!
Would you recommend Centro Mundolengua (CML) to others? Why?
I absolutely would. CML was a phenomenal program provider and made me feel so welcome and comfortable in Cádiz. They do an amazing job of making every student feel cared for and do everything in their power to foster a great environment for students.
From the directors who run the program to the tour guides on our excursions, all of the CML staff were incredibly knowledgeable and answered every question I had about what we were learning. They took great care in getting us to and from where we were supposed to be, teaching us all they knew about culture and history, and making sure we had fun while doing it.
I couldn’t recommend CML more to any student wanting to study abroad!
The beautiful lookout in Cádiz at Torre Tavira
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad expands the mind in ways that cannot be undone. Once you have experienced a new culture, new language, new ways of life, and new ideas, you look at the world in a completely new and different way and realize how important it is to experience life abroad.
I feel like I have learned so much inside and out of the classroom about Spanish culture through my study abroad program, and it has changed my life and the course of my studies for the better.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
After studying abroad, I felt a new sense of direction in both my studies and my life outside of school. Studying in Spain reinforced my love for and reason why I’m studying Spanish. It helped me to see how truly incredible life abroad is and helped me understand the meaning of the work I’m doing. I feel even more invigorated to continue my Spanish studies and continue working in the field of Spanish after graduation—and helped me realize how soon I need to return to Spain!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me is travel that leaves a lasting imprint on you. I have traveled a fair amount for my age, and while all of it has been incredible, my travels to Spain were the most meaningful of my life. It was the first time I’ve traveled abroad alone, the first time navigating a foreign language, and the first time truly being an individual in the world outside of my everyday life.
This is the kind of travel that left an imprint on me. From things as big as giving a presentation in Spanish, to being able to navigate the train station in another language, everything I did on my trip improved my Spanish, my independence, and my character. These are the experiences that count the most.
