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Desperate to observe within the footsteps of a school pupil who studied overseas in Spain? We not too long ago caught up with Alexis from Concordia College Chicago, who did a examine overseas program within the flamenco-famous metropolis of Granada through the spring semester.
Uncover how Alexis’s expertise with AIFS Overseas formed her educational future and offered inspiring cultural experiences!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period
Wish to examine overseas however unsure the place and whenever you need to go? Join with our group—our examine overseas consultants will enable you to slender your decisions!
Right here’s how Alexis selected Granada:
“I selected Spain as a result of I wished to finish my Spanish language research in a Spanish-speaking nation. Whereas I additionally thought-about different choices AIFS supplied, equivalent to Costa Rica and Argentina, I discovered that Argentina had extra biology and science-focused lessons, which didn’t align with my educational pursuits. Spain, alternatively, supplied lessons in Spanish that match each my language research and my enterprise main/minor. I particularly picked Granada as a result of it offered the longest length overseas in comparison with different cities in Spain, particularly since I opted for the early begin, which gave me a number of additional months overseas. I might extremely suggest this program to those that have an curiosity in Spanish literature and are open to pondering outdoors the field. My lessons in Granada have been solely in Spanish, which was good for my language degree, and I appreciated how my professor pushed me to go deeper into literature and additional develop my understanding.”
When you’re like Alexis, chances are you’ll select a time period as a way to escape dangerous climate again house!
“I selected the spring time period as a result of I wished to flee the cruel Chicago winter, and I additionally wished the chance to journey as soon as this system ended. Since one in all my principal objectives was to have an extended keep overseas, spring was the one choice that labored for me, because it supplied a long run in comparison with the summer time time period, and it additionally allowed me to increase my time after this system concluded. Spring additionally coincides with extra festivals, holidays, and typical tourism ranges in Spain. I totally loved experiencing Semana Santa in Spain, in addition to the Feria de Sevilla and different native, culturally wealthy holidays and festivals. It was a singular expertise that made my time overseas much more memorable.”
Lecturers Overseas
Finding out overseas is a wonderful alternative to immerse your self in a brand new educational tradition and take lessons that might not be supplied at your private home college. Hear Alexis describe her educational expertise in Granada:
“I studied on the Universidad de Granada in Spain, and my expertise was extremely optimistic. The professors have been extremely certified of their respective fields, and it was clear that they have been passionate in regards to the topics they have been instructing. One facet I actually appreciated was that, regardless of being a overseas pupil, my professors didn’t deal with us as typical language learners. Not less than in my case, it by no means felt like they have been simplifying the content material for non-native audio system. As a substitute, they taught the fabric as if we have been native college students, however in a approach that also felt accessible and applicable for our degree of understanding. This strategy made the lessons really feel extra participating and difficult, and I appreciated the extent of respect and expectation they’d for us as college students.”
Your lessons overseas are additionally an awesome likelihood to satisfy AIFS Overseas individuals and different worldwide college students, as Alexis explains:
“The lessons have been a mixture of AIFS college students and different worldwide college students… The College of Granada has a devoted constructing for worldwide college students, which created a singular surroundings the place we might join with friends from everywhere in the world whereas specializing in our research in Spain.”
Examine overseas programs incessantly provide distinctive native views, permitting you to dive into the native cultural and historic context in a approach that evokes deeper studying. Alexis’s favourite class in Granada was one such course:
“The category that stood out to me essentially the most was Spanish Civics and Tradition, as I realized an amazing quantity from it. Some of the eye-opening elements was studying in regards to the Francoist interval, part of Spanish historical past I hadn’t studied earlier than. It was fascinating to dive into the historical past of Spain, significantly the complicated political and social adjustments that happened throughout that point. The category not solely offered a deeper understanding of Spain’s previous but in addition sparked a private curiosity in Spanish historical past that has continued to affect my educational work. Actually, a yr later, I discovered myself incorporating lots of the concepts and insights from that class into my senior mission and honors thesis. The information I gained on this course had a long-lasting impression on my research and my strategy to analysis, and it stays one of the precious and thought-provoking lessons I took overseas.”
Language Studying
Language proficiency just isn’t required for almost all of our applications; nonetheless, many college students elect to take language lessons overseas. Even folks like Alexis, whose first language is Spanish, can develop their language abilities:
“Spanish is my first language, so transitioning to Spain was comparatively simple for me. Nevertheless, the primary adjustment I needed to make was getting used to the varied regional dialects, significantly the variations between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the Mexican Spanish I’m accustomed to… One of many issues I appreciated about this system was that you simply didn’t must have superior Spanish abilities to be eligible. Granada supplied totally different applications based mostly in your Spanish proficiency degree, so college students at varied phases might discover a class suited to their talents… This flexibility helped create an surroundings the place college students of various language ranges might thrive and have interaction within the educational expertise at their very own tempo.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas applications, which might take quite a lot of the stress out of planning! Hear Alexis describe her expertise in a homestay in Granada:
“My housing lodging in Spain was a homestay with a roommate, and total, I actually loved the expertise. One of many issues I appreciated essentially the most was the chance to study native holidays, traditions, and customs, which I really feel is one thing that those that keep in residences or dorms would possibly miss out on. Residing with a number household allowed me to see how locals have a good time sure occasions and expertise on a regular basis life from a Spanish perspective.
Some of the impactful cultural experiences I had whereas learning overseas was dwelling with a number mother. This expertise helped me develop in methods I hadn’t anticipated. Not solely did I get to immerse myself within the native tradition, however my host mother additionally offered invaluable perception into each day life in Spain—issues that you simply wouldn’t essentially study from a textbook or in a classroom. From native customs and traditions to easy, on a regular basis habits like mealtimes, I used to be capable of expertise Spain in a way more intimate and private approach.”
Making Buddies Overseas
When you’re welcome to check overseas with mates from house (the extra the merrier!), setting out by your self provides extra alternatives to make new mates, as Alexis did:
“I did the early begin program in Granada, [which] offered a very nice alternative to construct friendships with others proper from the start, because the group was smaller and extra intimate. This gave me the possibility to attach with folks in my program, in addition to fellow college students in school. Some of the rewarding elements of my expertise was the relationships I constructed, not simply with my friends, but in addition with my professors. These connections have benefited me even past my time overseas, as they’ve offered me with help, recommendation, and a deeper understanding of the tutorial world.
One thing that actually helped me throughout my time overseas was reminding myself that everybody in this system was in an analogous state of affairs; we have been all in a brand new nation, making an attempt to navigate a brand new tradition and make new mates. This shared expertise made it simpler to succeed in out to others, and I realized to not be afraid to speak to folks. Everybody was trying to kind connections, and it made the method of discovering mates a lot smoother. So, my recommendation to future college students can be to embrace the chance to satisfy new folks and keep in mind that you’re not alone on this expertise. Don’t hesitate to place your self on the market and discover your ‘folks’ in this system, since you’ll all be going via related challenges and moments of development collectively.”
Cultural Appreciation
Wherever you resolve to examine overseas, you’ll have ample alternatives for distinctive cultural experiences. Simply dwelling in a brand new metropolis is a cultural expertise in and of itself! Hear how Spanish tradition and morning traditions has helped Alexis even after returning house:
“One factor I actually admired in regards to the tradition in Spain was how they valued taking time for themselves, particularly within the mornings. In Spain, breakfast is a vital and social a part of the day, and it gave me an opportunity to decelerate and luxuriate in a peaceable begin earlier than diving into my busy schedule. I admired how the Spanish strategy to meals was not rushed, and the way they made house of their day for moments of leisure, even when only for a fast espresso or toast. This follow of taking time for myself, particularly within the mornings, turned one thing I really loved. After I returned house, I made a acutely aware effort to include extra aware moments into my routine, particularly by dedicating time within the morning for breakfast and slowing down, slightly than speeding via the day. This mindset shift helped me really feel extra grounded and intentional in my each day life, one thing I hadn’t prioritized as a lot earlier than.”
Weekend Journeys
Do you know that whenever you examine overseas, you may journey outdoors of your host nation? So long as you’re not lacking lessons, you’re free to journey as a lot as you’d like! Under, Alexis describes her favourite journey throughout her semester in Granada:
“I took quite a lot of memorable weekend journeys throughout my time overseas, however one which stands out essentially the most was to Budapest. It was an unbelievable expertise to go to the gorgeous Buda Fort and discover the historic palace. I cherished strolling across the metropolis, taking within the stunning structure, and soaking within the wealthy historical past… The environment in Budapest was so distinctive, and I felt like I used to be dwelling in a storybook as I wandered via its charming streets.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
Our housing choices, immersive applications, and on-site help employees are just some the reason why college students select AIFS Overseas and are so pleased with their determination. Hear why Alexis selected us for her semester overseas:
“After I first began exploring examine overseas choices, I rapidly realized that my college didn’t have a devoted particular person or workplace to information me via the method, which meant I needed to take issues into my very own fingers and do quite a lot of analysis alone. I spent hours shopping totally different applications and making an attempt to determine what can be the most effective match for me. Ultimately, I had a dialog with my educational advisor, and through our dialogue, she talked about that AIFS had been very fashionable in her time and that Concordia had a partnership with the group. This piece of data actually piqued my curiosity, so I made a decision to discover the AIFS Overseas web site. I hung out wanting via the varied locations they supplied, fastidiously contemplating every one, till I lastly got here throughout Granada, Spain. I used to be drawn to it as a result of it appeared to supply precisely what I used to be searching for in a examine overseas expertise, and that’s how my journey to learning in Spain started.”
Alexis’s Recommendation for Finding out Overseas in Granada
For anybody contemplating learning overseas in Granada, Alexis leaves you with the next recommendation:
- “Embrace the Language: Observe your Spanish as a lot as potential. The locals are pleasant and can admire your effort to talk their language.
- Stroll and Discover: Granada is a metropolis greatest seen on foot. Get misplaced within the cobbled streets and you’ll want to try the gorgeous views of the Alhambra.
- Benefit from the Meals: Reap the benefits of Granada’s free tapas with each drink! Attempt native dishes and discover the markets.
- Adapt to Native Time: Spanish life is slower, with late lunches and dinners. Don’t rush—benefit from the relaxed tempo.”
Are you a pupil able to take the leap and examine overseas like Alexis did in Granada with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that will help you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students examine overseas. Our applications are extremely inclusive, which takes quite a 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 employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your whole expertise overseas.
