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Wanting to observe within the footsteps of a school pupil who studied overseas in Spain? We lately caught up with Gabriela from the College of Texas at El Paso, who did a examine overseas program within the Mediterranean metropolis of Valencia throughout the spring semester.
Uncover how Gabriela’s semester overseas helped her advance her Biomedical Sciences main and immerse herself within the native tradition!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Vacation spot
With the entire unimaginable examine and intern overseas locations AIFS Overseas provides, selecting only one may be robust! Right here’s how Gabriela selected Valencia:
“I selected Valencia, Spain, as a result of I used to be excited to discover a brand new tradition whereas bettering my Spanish-speaking expertise and increasing my understanding of healthcare methods out of the country. I already communicate Spanish, as it’s my mom tongue; nonetheless, as a Mexican, I used to be very curious to discover a unique Spanish-speaking nation that was not from Latin America. I additionally selected Spain as a result of it’s so colourful and it jogs my memory of summer time. Valencia additionally has a seashore, which is one in all my favourite issues on earth. I’d suggest this program to college students eager about cultural immersion, diet, public well being, and language studying.”
Teachers Overseas
A typical false impression is that STEM majors can’t examine overseas. The reality is, with the proper program, a examine overseas program isn’t solely potential, however it may well assist STEM majors advance their tutorial careers and interact with new international views. Hear Gabriela describe her tutorial expertise in Valencia as a Biomedical Sciences main and Diet minor:
“I attended la Universidad Católica de Valencia. The professors had been supportive and passionate, and the programs had been interactive and had real-world functions. In my physiology class, we realized to do EKGs, and that was a facet that I cherished a lot and took house with me. I loved the steadiness of idea and observe within the classroom. I’ll say, it was much more rigorous than I anticipated.”
Examine overseas programs are additionally an awesome alternative to fulfill different college students from around the globe, as Gabriela explains:
“My courses included each AIFS college students and worldwide college students. The setting was collaborative, and I had many group actions that allowed us to be taught from totally different views.”
In Diet and Dietetics, Gabriela loved a discipline journey to a farm that grows substances for making paella, a dish that originates in Valencia:
“We received a category on how one can make paella and toured the farm, noticed animals, and an enormous discipline of oranges. It was such a tremendous expertise and confirmed me the true Valencian Group tradition of Spain.”
Language Studying Ideas from a Native Spanish Speaker
Language proficiency is just not required for almost all of our packages; nonetheless, some packages, like Gabriela’s, do require you to take a language course (as a fluent Spanish speaker, Gabriela was exempt). Beneath, she provides some recommendation for studying a language overseas:
“My recommendation is to not be terrified of getting judged! Lots of the individuals in my program expressed to me their nervousness about talking Spanish round me as a result of they had been scared I’d query their expertise. Nevertheless, that’s not the case in any respect! Europe is stuffed with various individuals, and for my part, it feels so welcoming, and the individuals from no matter nation you might be in admire you making an attempt to immerse your self of their tradition and language. I’d by no means decide anybody for his or her talking expertise, I’d encourage and assist them be taught extra… I’m certain the locals felt the identical.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas packages, which may take plenty of the stress out of planning! Beneath, Gabriela describes her expertise in a shared residence:
“I lived in a shared room in an residence with six different individuals. I truthfully appreciated each facet of it. It was undoubtedly a problem to coordinate an residence of seven individuals… [but] we overcame [challenges] by having roommate conferences and citing something anybody was feeling that week.”
Making Associates Overseas
Whilst you’re welcome to review overseas with pals from house, do not forget that finding out overseas is a wonderful alternative to department out and make new pals, as Gabriela did:
“I attempted my greatest to attend all of the excursions AIFS had deliberate for us. This all helped me get tremendous near everybody in this system and the opposite college students in my courses. I fashioned robust friendships early on.”
Along with making pals with different AIFS Overseas college students, Gabriela constructed relationships with locals and different worldwide individuals:
“There have been numerous alternatives to fulfill individuals by means of native occasions, language exchanges, cafés, and group festivals, particularly throughout Las Fallas. I made pals exterior of my examine overseas program by chatting throughout class and reaching out to locals at cafes… My recommendation for future college students is to place your self on the market and be open to conversations, even these easy interactions can flip into significant friendships. You solely stay as soon as so don’t be terrified of judgement or rejection… Attend native occasions, say sure to plans, and take a look at to not stick solely along with your examine overseas group. The extra you immerse your self within the native tradition, the extra rewarding your social life might be.”
Cultural Appreciation
While you examine overseas, you plant your self in a brand new metropolis with a totally totally different tradition. As Gabriela explains, the tradition of Las Fallas and the community-wide pleasure main as much as this competition left an enduring affect on her:
“One thing I deeply admired about Valencia’s tradition was the best way the whole group got here collectively throughout Las Fallas. Even months earlier than the official celebration in March, town started to shift right into a festive spirit. You would truly really feel the thrill constructing as early as January, regardless of the colder climate. It felt like a summer time get together every single day, full of music, pleasure, and anticipation.
What struck me probably the most was how united and energetic the group grew to become. Folks of all ages participated within the celebrations. I cherished studying concerning the mascletàs, the constructing of the Fallas monuments, dressing in conventional apparel, and the straightforward gathering within the streets to get pleasure from meals and music. There was an amazing sense of pleasure, pleasure, and togetherness that radiated all through town. Experiencing this degree of group spirit had an enduring impact on me. Since returning house, I’ve discovered myself in search of extra alternatives to interact in native traditions and join with others in significant methods. Valencia taught me that group celebration is not only about an occasion, it’s about shared pleasure. That sense of closeness and positivity is one thing I now attempt to carry with me in my on a regular basis life.”
Journeys & Excursions
Finding out overseas is a tremendous alternative to journey round your host nation and go to neighboring nations, when you select to take action. AIFS Overseas consists of some journeys within the value of this system, which lets you get pleasure from new cultural experiences while not having to analysis and plan your self, as Gabriela explains:
“I attended Madrid and a visit to Albufera (Nationwide Park). Each journeys had been extremely memorable and supplied distinctive insights into Spanish tradition and historical past. The Madrid journey provided an ideal mix of iconic landmarks, museums, and vibrant metropolis life, making it an unforgettable cultural expertise. We met with the AIFS Madrid group and I actually appreciated that have as a result of we made much more connections and in contrast Valencia with Madrid. The Albufera journey was equally particular, with its stunning pure environment and the chance to be taught concerning the area’s conventional agriculture and luxuriate in an genuine paella meal at a farm. These excursions allowed me to bond with different college students and deepen my appreciation for the traditions of Spain.”
Along with AIFS Overseas journeys, you’ll have loads of alternatives to set out by yourself on the weekends, like Gabriela did:
“I took a number of memorable weekend journeys throughout my time overseas that really enhanced my general expertise. A few of my favourite locations included Italy, Germany, Hungary, Ibiza, and Andorra. Every place provided one thing distinctive and unforgettable. In Italy, I used to be captivated by the historical past, structure, and meals—strolling by means of Rome and Capri felt like being in a fairytale. Germany was in all probability probably the most totally different nation I visited, culture-wise. Budapest was fascinating and I lastly skilled the thermal baths everybody talks about. Some of the thrilling and enjoyable getaways was Ibiza. It was stunning and stuffed with power. And at last, my ski journey to Andorra was an unimaginable journey. It was my first time snowboarding within the Pyrenees, and I’ve by no means seen [such] wonderful mountains. It doesn’t evaluate to my snowboarding experiences within the U.S.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
Our housing choices, immersive packages, and on-site help employees are only a few the explanation why college students select AIFS Overseas. Hear why Gabriela selected our program for her spring semester in Valencia:
“I selected AIFS due to its distinctive fame for offering immersive cultural and tutorial experiences overseas. I had heard from college students and advisors that AIFS packages had been well-organized, supportive, and included enriching excursions that really allowed college students to expertise their host nation. Their dedication to pupil success and inclusion, in addition to their clear scholarship alternatives, made them stand out.”
Wherever you go together with AIFS Overseas, you’ll have an on-site Program Director, who’s an incredible useful resource, as Gabriela explains:
“[Program Director] Janan Batteh actually stood out to me and deserves a lot recognition. I consider I can communicate on behalf of everybody that she was wonderful. She was very welcoming, a secure zone, enjoyable, and an awesome planner. She was at all times tremendous useful, and if she didn’t have an instantaneous reply to a query, she would analysis and get again to us. Janan was welcoming from the very starting, making a secure and supportive setting the place we felt reassured, valued, and excited to discover Spain. She was not solely a trusted useful resource but additionally enjoyable and approachable. Her capacity to plan significant actions and excursions made the expertise much more enriching. Her dedication and heat made an enduring impression on me and elevated the whole program.”
Last Ideas from Gabriela
Gabriela leaves us with these closing ideas:
“I’d identical to to say that finding out overseas was some of the rewarding experiences of my life. I realized a lot and I continuously tear up and get bittersweet emotions once I suppose again or take a look at footage… With out [AIFS Abroad], I’d not have had the identical expertise.”
Are you a pupil able to take the leap and examine overseas like Gabriela did in Valencia 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 school college students examine overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes plenty 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 figuring out you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
