Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain with WorldStrides

The particular track I chose for my international relations major has a requirement to study abroad, so I knew that this would be an inevitable part of my academic career. However, it was my choice in the first place, as I believed from early on that studying abroad would complement my studies.

I did a travel study program to Madrid, Salamanca, and Barcelona the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. Ever since then, I looked forward to spending a semester back in Spain during college because I had fallen in love with the country on that trip. Coming to UCLA, I wanted to find a major that suited my passion and interests in international politics and culture and would encourage me to see the world. After settling into my university classes and university life, I realized that I was missing out on something bigger than what was around me. So that's when I decided that I would fulfill my desire to go abroad again.

I was looking for a study abroad program which would work with my master's program requirements. I did find others, but as I had received a TWU study abroad scholarship, I was unable to use them. Unfortunately, as a master's student the contracted study abroad programs didn't have courses catering to students in my situation. However, the Director and Assistant Director of International Education worked with the head of my program and ISA to make it possible for me to study abroad and receive my scholarship. I am extremely grateful for that.