Gabriela’s Spring Semester in Valencia
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Desperate to observe within the footsteps of a school scholar 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 unbelievable examine and intern overseas locations AIFS Overseas affords, selecting only one might 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 techniques overseas. I already communicate Spanish, as it’s my mom tongue; nevertheless, 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 certainly one of my favourite issues on earth. I might suggest this program to college students enthusiastic about cultural immersion, diet, public well being, and language studying.”
Teachers Overseas
A standard false impression is that STEM majors can’t examine overseas. The reality is, with the suitable program, a examine overseas program isn’t solely doable, however it could actually assist STEM majors advance their educational careers and interact with new international views. Hear Gabriela describe her educational expertise in Valencia as a Biomedical Sciences main and Diet minor:
“I attended la Universidad Católica de Valencia. The professors have been supportive and passionate, and the programs have been interactive and had real-world functions. In my physiology class, we discovered to do EKGs, and that was a facet that I liked a lot and took house with me. I loved the steadiness of idea and follow within the classroom. I’ll say, it was much more rigorous than I anticipated.”
Examine overseas programs are additionally an important alternative to satisfy different college students from around the globe, as Gabriela explains:
“My lessons included each AIFS college students and worldwide college students. The setting was collaborative, and I had many group actions that allowed us to study from completely different views.”
In Diet and Dietetics, Gabriela loved a subject journey to a farm that grows substances for making paella, a dish that originates in Valencia:
“We received a category on find out how to make paella and toured the farm, noticed animals, and an enormous subject 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 not required for almost all of our packages; nevertheless, some packages, like Gabriela’s, do require you to take a language course (as a fluent Spanish speaker, Gabriela was exempt). Beneath, she affords some recommendation for studying a language overseas:
“My recommendation is to not be afraid of getting judged! Numerous the folks in my program expressed to me their nervousness about talking Spanish round me as a result of they have been scared I might query their expertise. Nonetheless, that’s not the case in any respect! Europe is filled with various folks, and for my part, it feels so welcoming, and the folks from no matter nation you’re in respect you attempting to immerse your self of their tradition and language. I might by no means choose anybody for his or her talking expertise, I might encourage and assist them study extra… I’m positive the locals felt the identical.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas packages, which might take numerous the stress out of planning! Beneath, Gabriela describes her expertise in a shared house:
“I lived in a shared room in an house with six different folks. I truthfully preferred each facet of it. It was positively a problem to coordinate an house of seven folks… [but] we overcame [challenges] by having roommate conferences and mentioning something anybody was feeling that week.”
Making Buddies Overseas
Whilst you’re welcome to examine overseas with buddies from house, keep in mind that finding out overseas is a wonderful alternative to department out and make new buddies, as Gabriela did:
“I attempted my finest 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 lessons. I shaped robust friendships early on.”
Along with making buddies with different AIFS Overseas college students, Gabriela constructed relationships with locals and different worldwide folks:
“There have been numerous alternatives to satisfy folks by way of native occasions, language exchanges, cafés, and neighborhood festivals, particularly throughout Las Fallas. I made buddies 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 afraid of judgement or rejection… Attend native occasions, say sure to plans, and take a look at to not stick solely together 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
Whenever you examine overseas, you plant your self in a brand new metropolis with a very completely different tradition. As Gabriela explains, the tradition of Las Fallas and the community-wide pleasure main as much as this competition left a long-lasting impression on her:
“One thing I deeply admired about Valencia’s tradition was the way in which all the neighborhood got here collectively throughout Las Fallas. Even months earlier than the official celebration in March, the town started to shift right into a festive spirit. You may really really feel the joy constructing as early as January, regardless of the colder climate. It felt like a summer time occasion each day, stuffed with music, pleasure, and anticipation.
What struck me essentially the most was how united and energetic the neighborhood turned. Individuals of all ages participated within the celebrations. I liked studying concerning the mascletàs, the constructing of the Fallas monuments, dressing in conventional apparel, and the straightforward gathering within the streets to take pleasure in meals and music. There was an awesome sense of pleasure, satisfaction, and togetherness that radiated all through the town. Experiencing this stage of neighborhood spirit had a long-lasting impact on me. Since returning house, I’ve discovered myself in search of extra alternatives to have interaction in native traditions and join with others in significant methods. Valencia taught me that neighborhood celebration isn’t just 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
Learning overseas is a tremendous alternative to journey round your host nation and go to neighboring nations, should you select to take action. AIFS Overseas contains some journeys within the value of this system, which lets you take pleasure in 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 have been extremely memorable and supplied distinctive insights into Spanish tradition and historical past. The Madrid journey supplied 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 preferred 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 study concerning the area’s conventional agriculture and revel 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 supplied one thing distinctive and unforgettable. In Italy, I used to be captivated by the historical past, structure, and meals—strolling by way of Rome and Capri felt like being in a fairytale. Germany was in all probability essentially the most completely different nation I visited, culture-wise. Budapest was attention-grabbing and I lastly skilled the thermal baths everybody talks about. Probably the most thrilling and enjoyable getaways was Ibiza. It was stunning and filled with power. And at last, my ski journey to Andorra was an unbelievable journey. It was my first time snowboarding within the Pyrenees, and I’ve by no means seen [such] superb mountains. It doesn’t examine to my snowboarding experiences within the U.S.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
Our housing choices, immersive packages, and on-site assist workers are only a few causes 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 educational experiences overseas. I had heard from college students and advisors that AIFS packages have been well-organized, supportive, and included enriching excursions that really allowed college students to expertise their host nation. Their dedication to scholar success and inclusion, in addition to their clear scholarship alternatives, made them stand out.”
Wherever you go along 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 superb. She was very welcoming, a secure zone, enjoyable, and an important planner. She was at all times tremendous useful, and if she didn’t have a right away 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 skill to plan significant actions and excursions made the expertise much more enriching. Her dedication and heat made a long-lasting impression on me and elevated all the program.”
Ultimate Ideas from Gabriela
Gabriela leaves us with these last ideas:
“I might identical to to say that finding out overseas was one of the crucial rewarding experiences of my life. I discovered a lot and I always tear up and get bittersweet emotions after I assume again or take a look at footage… With out [AIFS Abroad], I might not have had the identical expertise.”
Are you a scholar able to take the leap and examine overseas like Gabriela did in Valencia 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 school college students examine overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes numerous the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.
