Italy, Paris and Barcelona – most people have heard of these places, but how many have actually been there? Because of the opportunities to study abroad here at the University of Wyoming, I spent my summer in Barcelona, Spain.
When I decided to study abroad I had over a year to wait until it would be time. Before I knew it, I was taking classes, speaking Spanish every day, eating Spanish cuisine and living in Barcelona.
Studying abroad takes a lot of effort on behalf of the student. If you want to do it you have to put in a lot of time preparing.
One of the hardest decisions was choosing a program. I got the catalogue for Barcelona Study Abroad Experience through the International Studies Office. Within a few days I had made up my mind and applied.
Barcelona SAE is a program based in Barcelona. “We are experts in Barcelona study abroad and with all of our resources focused on one city, we are able to have the most Barcelona options at the best price,” Julianna Kobbs, University Relations and Program Coordinator for SAE said.
Like many students, I was concerned about the cost of studying abroad. However, I found it to be affordable with all that it included and for the experience, it was well worth it.
I was also happy to receive financial aid and scholarship support. Through UW I received the Dick and Lynne Cheney Study Abroad Grant, which is a scholarship specifically for students interested in studying abroad, and I received a scholarship through SAE to keep a blog three times a week.
Studying abroad is important for many reasons, one being that employers are looking for students with a multi-cultural background and knowledge, said Chaz Cook from the International Programs office. He also said it helps students mature.
Studying abroad not only helped me professionally, but also personally. It changed my outlook on the world and myself. It is a worthwhile experience that I think can change anyone or their outlook on life. There are many opportunities and locations out there to choose from.
“Studying abroad for me helped my Spanish tremendously. It taught me to learn about other people and adapt to their ways. Before I went, I found Spanish boring and not fun, but after being there it made it interesting to learn new words and how to use them. It gave me a passion for Spanish,” Adar Westling who also studied abroad last spring, said.
Westling said her Spanish improved more while she was in Spain than in all the classes combined taken here in the states.
My Spanish also improved greatly while in Barcelona. The classes offered through the program were great, but what made them even better were the outstanding teachers.
UW will host their study abroad fair Tuesday, Sept. 18, in Prexy’s Pasture. It will be a great opportunity to check out program options. The fair usually has about a dozen different programs and representatives, Ruth Shepherd, Study Abroad coordinator at UW said.
“Attending study abroad fairs is one of the best parts of my job – I love talking with students one on one about studying abroad and Barcelona. We hope to see more UW students join us soon in Barcelona after the fair,” Kobbs said.
For those of you who have a desire to travel and see the world, I would advise you to look into studying abroad. Go to Prexy’s Pasture next Tuesday and see what it’s about.
The memories and friends I made in Barcelona will be a part of me forever. I was able to eat delicious food, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, bungee jump, learn about important topics and improve my Spanish in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
