What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad by my desire to improve my Spanish language skills. I had learned Spanish in the United States, but I really wanted to be fully immersed in Spanish and forced to use it daily. I really wanted to test and challenge my skills, and studying in a country where Spanish is the first language was the best way to do this.
Sarah with her two beautiful, brilliant teachers who taught at Expanish
Why did you choose Expanish?
I chose my program because my university was doing a program with Expanish in Madrid. I knew that I wanted to be in an environment with people who spoke Spanish as a first language.
Being able to immerse myself in the language fully was the goal, and Expanish was the perfect choice. Classes are taught almost entirely in Spanish, but the professors are multilingual and can answer questions in English and other languages if necessary.
What was your favorite part about Madrid?
My favorite part about Madrid was how vibrant the city is. It is such a culturally rich city, and there is something interesting everywhere you look. There was also plenty of natural space and parks and trees everywhere.
As an American, I also really loved how easy it was not only to travel around the city but to travel around the country. It was much more accessible and at a cheaper price than I would be able to find anywhere else in the United States.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience was made extraordinary by the teachers and staff at the school. There were so many fun outings on weekdays, and my university worked with the staff to plan weekend trips as well.
I was able to practice my Spanish skills by mingling with students from other programs on these excursions, and I even made some new friends. The connections I made with students whom I would otherwise never have even been able to communicate with properly were extremely special to me.
Paella shared with friends during a weekend in Valencia
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The Expanish staff were extremely helpful and supportive of me, and I would have had a much harder time without them. My flight into Madrid was delayed, and the Expanish staff helped make sure I was able to get to the school safely.
The staff was also always so kind, and they helped me get past the frustration that comes with being thrown into speaking a second language all day. They helped me learn to properly express my thoughts in a way that I really couldn't before studying abroad.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had visited more cities outside of Madrid during my time abroad. I got to take a day trip to Valencia one weekend, and it was so much fun. While there is so much to do and see in Madrid itself, I wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone a bit more and explored the rest of Spain a bit more.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Every morning I got to walk to the school through the park and people watch on my way to class. I had classes from 9:30 to 1:30, and then I went to lunch with my friends.
After classes, we explored the city, went to museums, or went on an excursion with one of the Expanish professors. I read in the park almost every day, and I had dinner with my host family, and we would talk for hours until we got tired.
Sarah in the city of Toledo, rich with culture and history, behind her
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I really loved to walk through the city or find a museum to explore. I also really enjoyed getting to go to several live performances, like flamenco shows, Mamma Mia, and even a music festival.
I also bought lots of books and found it very peaceful to walk through the park and find a shady area to sit and read to practice my Spanish reading.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I had a homestay with a host family. My host family was one young woman, and she was absolutely incredible. She knew some English, but she was immensely helpful in letting me practice my Spanish skills and kindly correcting me when I was wrong.
One of my absolute favorite things was having dinner with her and getting to chat while enjoying a delicious Spanish dinner. She was a really good cook. She was used to having exchange students, so she was very accommodating and understanding.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Every future participant should know that the first few days/weeks may be a bit stressful but don't give up because it does get easier. Living in a new country is hard, even if you have been studying the language for years.
You may feel discouraged by the language barrier, but you will learn much faster than you realize, and you will soon forget that it once seemed impossible.
Our Segovia trip that an Expanish staff member led
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this program to others. Expanish allowed me to gain independence while also having a good amount of guidance where I needed it.
I always felt encouraged, and I learned so much during my time there that it is hard to put into words. I don't believe I would have been able to learn so quickly or have such a good time in any other environment.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is that it teaches you self-confidence. Going abroad is an extremely difficult and scary thing, but it teaches you so much about yourself.
I made mistakes and ran into problems, but I learned that I was able to solve problems and that making mistakes isn't actually as scary as I thought. I came back home a much stronger, better person than I was when I left.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I am so much more independent and confident now. I get discouraged much less frequently, and I have become less nervous about unfamiliar things. I have been able to step out of my comfort zone much more since I have learned what I am actually able to accomplish. By putting myself into situations where it’s possible to make them I’ve learned so much and view them as opportunities instead of something intimidating.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is travel that involves doing things that scare you and making mistakes. To me, it means learning the local language and taking part in local cultures.
Meaningful travel involves personal growth and learning things about yourself by immersing yourself in a different culture. My trip abroad is so important and meaningful to me because I grew so much as an individual.
