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Able to discover what an AIFS Overseas program in Spain is like? We not too long ago linked with Amiya from Howard College, who studied overseas in Barcelona in the course of the spring semester.
Uncover how Amiya’s research overseas expertise in Barcelona helped her discover Europe and develop a world perspective!
Selecting a Research Overseas Vacation spot
Selecting a research overseas vacation spot usually will depend on a wide range of components, together with cultural pursuits, language, and tutorial concerns. Hear why Amiya selected Barcelona:
“One in all my lifelong targets is to turn out to be fluent in Spanish, so finding out in a Spanish-speaking nation was a high precedence for me. What drew me to Barcelona particularly was the unbelievable range of issues to do and see. It actually affords a little bit little bit of every thing. From the mountains of Montserrat to Barceloneta Seaside and the vigorous city middle, Barcelona gave me entry to a variety of landscapes and experiences.
I additionally knew I wished to review in a metropolis with a powerful city really feel, and Barcelona delivered. It has the fast-paced vitality of an enormous metropolis, however loads of room for exploration, nature, and cultural immersion. I might completely suggest Barcelona, particularly for individuals who get pleasure from metropolis life however nonetheless need the choice to go on adventures. It’s additionally a fantastic spot for anybody who loves nightlife.”
Teachers Overseas
Whenever you research overseas, you may profit from a very new tutorial surroundings. Take distinctive lessons, dive into numerous international views, and benefit from the perks of a world campus. Under, Amiya explains her tutorial expertise in Spain:
“I attended the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. General, I had a very nice expertise with the college… I actually loved my lessons overseas. All of my lessons have been stuffed with worldwide college students. I discovered it attention-grabbing that a few of my professors weren’t from Barcelona both. I had professors from many areas in Spain, and some Professors from Germany as nicely.”
Hear Amiya clarify how her research overseas lessons in comparison with lessons at her residence college within the U.S.:
“Whereas I studied overseas, a lot of my lessons have been hands-on and interactive, which was an enormous change from the extra lecture-based programs I’m used to at residence. Again in my residence [university], lessons usually have 30–50 college students, and the lecture rooms are sometimes giant lecture halls. In distinction, my lessons overseas have been capped at round 30 college students, making a extra intimate and fascinating studying surroundings.
Most professors understood that we have been research overseas college students hoping to expertise the tradition past the classroom, so the workload was manageable. I used to be in a position to keep on high of my assignments whereas nonetheless having fun with my weekends for journey and exploration.
One in all my favourite features of the educational expertise was the flexibleness in scheduling. I used to be ready to decide on my very own lessons and construct a schedule that labored nicely for me. I had lessons from late Monday afternoon by means of Thursday afternoon, which meant I had lengthy weekends from Thursday night to Monday morning. I took full benefit of that free time to journey and profit from my research overseas expertise.
Additionally, it’s value noting that the campus I attended was primarily for research overseas college students, which created a novel and supportive studying group.”
Language Studying
Whereas studying a second language is just not required so that you can research overseas, many college students like Amiya enroll in language studying programs. Hear about Amiya’s expertise studying Spanish in Barcelona:
“Whereas the first languages in Barcelona are Spanish and Catalan, I discovered that many individuals I interacted with spoke a great quantity of English, simply as I knew sufficient Spanish to get by. That steadiness helped in day-to-day conditions, nevertheless it additionally motivated me to enhance my language abilities.
Relating to studying a language overseas, I extremely suggest enrolling in a local language class when you’re within the nation. It provides you the construction to construct on what and the boldness to make use of it in real-life conditions. I’d additionally recommend selecting a homestay if attainable and if [you are] comfy with this selection. It pushes you to immerse your self within the language and creates extra alternatives to apply.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas packages—it’s a fantastic alternative to bond with different AIFS Overseas college students and/or join with a neighborhood host! Hear Amiya describe her expertise in a homestay:
“I lived in a homestay and had a really optimistic expertise. My host household was extremely welcoming to each my roommate and me. It was a novel setup as a result of our host mother was native to Spain, whereas our host dad was English and American. That dynamic created a fantastic steadiness. If I ever had hassle understanding one thing in Spanish, our host dad was in a position to assist translate or clarify phrases and phrases, which made communication a lot smoother.
Dwelling in a homestay enriched my research overseas expertise as a result of it pushed me to develop, talk extra clearly, and embrace cultural change on a deeper stage.”
Making Associates Overseas
Whether or not you go overseas alone or with a pal, finding out overseas lends itself to creating robust friendships, as Amiya explains:
“I constructed my closest reference to my roommate—we have been extremely shut throughout this system and nonetheless keep up a correspondence even after research overseas ended. I made associates with a handful of individuals inside the AIFS program. One piece of recommendation I’d give to future college students is to attend as many AIFS-led occasions as attainable, particularly to start with. These early occasions are an effective way to satisfy individuals, break the ice, and begin constructing your group from day one.”
Social Occasions & Journeys
As Amiya defined, AIFS Overseas journeys and actions are an effective way to bond with fellow research overseas college students. Each AIFS Overseas program options social and cultural actions which are included in this system charges. Plus, many packages supply journeys and excursions that allow you to discover your host nation and past! Under, Amiya describes her expertise with AIFS Overseas actions and journeys:
“I made it a precedence to attend as many occasions as attainable. I participated within the orientation actions, the 4-day weekend journey to Basque Nation, the calçot tasting tour, and journeys to Tarragona, Girona, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia, Montserrat, and some others!Outdoors of the excursions, I took a cooking class by means of this system the place I discovered find out how to make hen paella and Catalan cream—certainly one of my favourite experiences. I additionally participated in a volunteer occasion with High Manta, which gave me the chance to interact with the area people in a significant manner.
What made many of those experiences so memorable was how unexpectedly lovely and wealthy these locations have been. A number of the locations weren’t spots I might’ve thought to go to by myself, however they exceeded my expectations. I used to be genuinely shocked by the number of landscapes, cultures, and vitality every place needed to supply—it added a lot depth to my research overseas expertise.”
Along with journeys and excursions included in this system worth, AIFS Overseas might also supply different weekend journeys which are obtainable for an extra price. As Amiya explains, she’s so glad she participated:
“I invested in each of the lengthy weekend journeys provided by means of the AIFS research overseas program, together with the 4-day journey to Basque Nation and the 3-day journey to Seville, Granada, and Andalucía. I might completely suggest making the most of these non-compulsory journeys.
These experiences opened my eyes to elements of Spain I may not have thought to go to by myself—and I’m so glad I did. Every place had its personal distinctive vitality, tradition, and sweetness. I used to be genuinely shocked by the completely different environments, from the coastal allure of San Sebastián to the historic richness of Andalucía. These journeys added a lot worth to my general expertise and helped me recognize the range inside Spain itself.”
Not solely are you able to journey with AIFS Overseas throughout your program, however you’re additionally free to set out by yourself if you’re not in school, as Amiya did:
“My roommate and I had a behavior of selecting a location with out making any concrete reservations—and actually, these spontaneous journeys led to the very best adventures. We’d discover cities on foot, encounter hidden gems, and go on enjoyable ‘facet quests.’”
Private & Skilled Development
AIFS Overseas members persistently report how our packages helped them to develop each personally and professionally. Hearken to Amiya clarify the affect of her program on her private {and professional} future:
“This expertise deepened my curiosity in entrepreneurship and advertising and marketing on a world scale. Seeing how completely different cultures strategy branding, enterprise, and communication impressed me to assume extra globally with regards to my very own targets. Now, I’m extra assured in pursuing alternatives that contain cross-cultural collaboration, whether or not that’s by means of internships, graduate college, or ultimately launching a enterprise with worldwide attain.
Most significantly, finding out overseas jogged my memory that I’m able to adapting, studying, and thriving wherever I’m going—and that mindset goes to hold me into no matter’s subsequent.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
There are such a lot of nice causes to decide on AIFS Overseas, comparable to our inclusive housing choices, journeys and excursions, supportive on-site workers, and a variety of packages around the globe. Right here’s why Amiya selected AIFS Overseas:
“I first heard about AIFS throughout my freshman 12 months at a research overseas honest on campus. After doing extra analysis, I in the end selected AIFS as a result of it provided not solely the placement I used to be most inquisitive about (Barcelona) but additionally a variety of experiences past the classroom. What actually stood out to me have been the alternatives for cultural immersion by means of excursions, native occasions, and hands-on studying.”
Under, Aimya explains just a few issues she appreciated about our program:
“One of many issues I appreciated most about AIFS was how accessible and clear the coed expertise felt. Their web site featured scholar blogs, spotlights, and social media takeovers, which gave me a firsthand have a look at what finding out overseas with AIFS was actually like. As somebody who didn’t personally know anybody who had gone by means of this system, these genuine tales helped me really feel extra assured in my determination.
I undoubtedly stopped by the AIFS middle just a few occasions throughout my time overseas, primarily to speak with the workers about research overseas subjects and simply examine in. It was comforting to know there was at all times somebody there to speak to who understood what we have been going by means of as college students adjusting to a brand new surroundings.”
Are you a scholar able to take the leap and research overseas like Amiya did in Barcelona with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students research overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes a whole lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
