What inspired you to travel abroad?
I want to be a bilingual teacher, and studying abroad provided the opportunity to improve my Spanish proficiency. I also advocate for equality and cultural diversity, which studying abroad enabled me to learn more about.
La Alhambra in Granada, España
Why did you choose Academic Programs International?
API has great reviews, accommodates students' needs, and is affordable. Everyone that I have interacted with through API has been kind and very helpful. The program included trips throughout Spain, an international excursion, and other immersive activities, such as a cooking class or language exchanges. API went above and beyond in ensuring that every student had an experience in Granada.
What was your favorite part about Granada, Spain?
I wanted to study abroad in Spain since it is a very safe country that is located in Europe, giving me a chance to travel to other countries as well. However, my favorite part about Spain (specifically Granada) was either the culture or the connections that I made. Granada embraced diversity and acceptance of others, regardless of their background. The people that I met in Granada were selfless, kind, and willing to help others reach their full potential. As a result, Spain allowed me to improve academically in addition to learning more about myself.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The self-discovery that I embarked on during my time abroad made my experience truly unforgettable. The transformation that I saw in myself made the experience extraordinary. The growth, lessons, and memories gained abroad made my experience in foreign countries so much more meaningful for me.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The Program Directors in Granada (Carmen and Curra) encouraged students to visit their office and interact with Spaniards. They provided advice as well as support in language acquisition, academic success, and personal issues. I felt that I had the support needed to leave my comfort zone.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish that I immersed myself more in the Spanish culture. Traveling throughout Spain, as well as interacting with more of the people in my community would have provided me with more knowledge about the country and create more genuine connections.
A view from el Albaicín in Granada, España
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day started with walking to la Universidad de Granada and going to class. After class, I would return home and eat lunch with my host family. Lunch would be followed by a siesta or a study session. Afterwards, I would explore the city by myself or go to a café for tapas with friends. I would go home for dinner and listen to everyone's day. I also enjoyed watching TV and having meaningful conversations with my host mother when I wasn't traveling or calling my family or friends from home.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
One activity that I really enjoyed was solo traveling to other countries. Because Spain is located in Europe, I had an amazing opportunity to explore other cities in Spain, as well as countries, such as Germany and the Czech Republic. When I was in Granada, I loved going to cafés or restaurants for tapas with friends. Tapas are appetizers or small plates; these were free with the purchase of a beverage in Granada (which made them much more enjoyable). Exploring the city and learning about the culture were also activities that I enjoyed doing in my pastime. However, I was blessed enough to spend time with my host family and the friends that I made while abroad.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in an apartment with a host family. I loved living with a host mother since it made my accommodation feel more close-knit, like a home away from home. Living with a host mother gave me a sense of belonging as well as my own Spanish family.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Be open-minded and excited! Leaving your comfort zone and taking risks can be nerve wracking, but you should be so proud of yourself for choosing to study abroad. Having rough days in a foreign country is inevitable, but the best days will always outshine the dark moments that may occur. If I were to say one thing that every future participant should know, it would be that you will learn so much more about yourself and grow if you leave your comfort zone and have the courage or strength to try new things.
Would you recommend Academic Programs International to others? Why?
I would recommend my program since it provided me with the support or resources to thrive. API helped me strive to reach my full potential, leave my comfort zone, and created an environment that was conducive for growth and learning.
The sunset on a beach in Cádiz, España
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
The people that I met and lessons that I learned truly made my experience abroad life-changing in the best of ways. I am still in touch with friends as well as my host mother. I still implement the lessons that I made into my daily life as a way to remember how much I have grown since the moment I left America for the first time.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I have continued taking Spanish classes in order to stay proficient in the language. Being abroad inspired me to consider TEFL in Spain after I graduate. For these reasons, I feel that my time abroad has influenced my life more than I ever expected.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel entails creating genuine relationships, experiences, and memories in a new environment. Meaningful travel enables people to learn more about themselves as well as the city that they are in.
