Irina’s Spring Semester in Valencia, Spain 

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Desperate to observe within the footsteps of a school scholar who studied overseas in Spain? We just lately caught up with Irina from Adelphi College, a Nursing main who did a research overseas program within the seaside metropolis of Valencia throughout the spring semester. 

Uncover how Irina’s semester overseas helped form her outlook on life and admire the laidback Valencian tradition! 

Selecting When & The place to Examine Overseas 

With numerous research and intern overseas locations to select from with AIFS Overseas, it’s not at all times simple to decide on only one! As Irina explains, selecting to research overseas in Valencia got here right down to a number of elements: 

“I selected Spain as a result of I wished to be in Europe, and this system in Valencia had extra biology and well being programs, which I used to be considering. I’d advocate this program to college students considering bettering their language [proficiency], since Valencia is a smaller metropolis and most older individuals solely communicate Spanish. It’s a heat and enjoyable metropolis with many celebrations. It’s an incredible place for individuals who like each the seashore and the town. It’s a few 30-minute bus experience from the primary metropolis to get to the seashore, which additionally has many tasty eating places and a boardwalk.” 

For college students who need to research overseas for a full semester, deciding between fall and spring semesters could be one other robust resolution. However for those who’re a nursing scholar like Irina, your selection might come right down to your tutorial necessities, as she particulars beneath: 

“I selected the spring time period as a result of that was the one semester I used to be in a position to research overseas for the reason that nursing program has a really strict schedule. For my part, the spring time period in Valencia may be very enjoyable and culturally partaking. In the course of the month of March, there’s a big pageant referred to as Fallas that’s celebrated all through the month. It was at all times sunny and heat, and nearly by no means rained. There have been nearly no vacationers till the top of March since many individuals got here for the pageant. We additionally obtained just a few days off for catholic holidays.” 

Budgeting Overseas 

Funds are an necessary consideration for a lot of college students who need to research overseas. Thankfully, AIFS Overseas affords a number of scholarships and grants; plus, scholar monetary support packages can typically apply to check overseas packages—simply be sure that to test together with your monetary support workplace! 

Whereas AIFS Overseas contains journeys and excursions with each program, for those who’re like Irina, chances are you’ll need to go on some extra journeys by yourself to go to neighboring international locations. Right here’s Irina’s recommendation for touring on a price range throughout your research overseas program: 

“I managed my funds by deciding on the place I wished to go and making a restrict on how a lot I spent on every journey. To future college students, I like to recommend trying on the least expensive flights and staying in hostels or Airbnb with many individuals, as that’s the least expensive choice for residing. If there’s a place you completely need to go to and it’s on the dearer aspect, then you definitely might need to prioritize that over happening one other journey.” 

College Expertise 

While you research overseas, you get to expertise a recent tutorial atmosphere. You might take programs with classmates from everywhere in the world, study from professors with distinctive cultural views, and research material in a brand new context. Hear Irina describe her expertise at Universidad Católica de Valencia: 

“I attended Universidad Católica de Valencia. I had an incredible expertise and was in a position to study with native Spanish college students. Courses had been based mostly on the Spanish system, so it was completely different than the American faculty system. We got only a few assignments all through the semester. Many of the class grades had been based mostly on both class participation or a remaining examination/mission. Though it looks like so much, the professors had been very partaking, and it was simple to maintain up with the fabric.” 

Many AIFS Overseas research overseas packages provide hands-on programs that incorporate the native tradition into your studying, as Irina describes beneath: 

“One of many most important class assignments that stood out to me was when my professor for newbie Spanish assigned us to stroll across the metropolis and take an image of the ninots (sculptures). This was in the course of the Fallas pageant, and there have been many huge sculptures positioned across the metropolis. With a purpose to have interaction us extra within the pageant he requested us to go round and discover one particular ninot that we appreciated and later come again and make a presentation concerning the construction in Spanish. This allowed us to each benefit from the cultural pageant of Valencia and apply our Spanish.” 

Language Studying as a Newbie 

Language proficiency is not required for many AIFS Overseas packages. Irina took a newbie Spanish language course in Valencia, which didn’t require any prior Spanish information, as she explains: 

“I took newbie Spanish in Valencia, so there was no requirement for me to know the language beforehand. The category helped me study fundamental phrases, which allowed me to speak with my host mother. Being in Valencia, I additionally needed to study Spanish rapidly since most of the older locals didn’t communicate English. Some recommendation I’d give is to not be afraid to talk, even when you realize only a few phrases. Locals are very affected person and are prepared that will help you and perceive what you’re making an attempt to say.” 

Housing 

Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas packages. Some packages provide an choice for a homestay, which permits college students to dwell within the dwelling of an area. This is a wonderful alternative to study extra about their tradition and apply your language expertise, like Irina did: 

“I lived in a number household with an older girl. I appreciated that I had an American roommate as a result of it was good to have [another study abroad student] to speak to. My host mother additionally had a accomplice who would come over for dinner, and he spoke each English and Spanish fluently, so he was in a position to assist us translate and study extra Spanish phrases. Each time he wasn’t there, we might attempt to speak to the host mother as a lot as potential, but when it was exhausting to know one another, we might use the translate app.” 

Making Associates Overseas 

Apprehensive about making buddies overseas? Nearly each research overseas scholar does! While you research overseas, you’ll discover that most individuals are simply as wanting to make buddies as you’re. Plus, AIFS Overseas packages embrace social and cultural actions, in addition to journeys and excursions, that are nice alternatives to bond with the opposite individuals in your program, as Irina explains: 

“I used to be in a position to make buddies by the cultural actions offered by this system. Throughout this time, I met all the scholars and was in a position to get to know them… I’d advise future college students to go to as many [AIFS Abroad] occasions as potential… It’s also necessary to not be afraid to succeed in out to different college students, particularly in case you are residing with a number household. It may be a bit tougher to get to know everybody for those who’re not residing with them, so I like to recommend going to any deliberate group hangouts.” 

Cultural Appreciation 

Whereas there could also be a little bit of an adjustment interval as you get used to your program vacation spot’s tradition, many research overseas college students study to understand these variations, as Irina describes: 

“I actually loved the laid-back and enjoyable way of life in addition to the unity throughout holidays. In Valencia, my day would begin round 9:00, and I’d spend lunchtime, which was round 2 hours, with my host household consuming at a restaurant. After I got here again, I needed to readjust my schedule again to waking up early and never having any breaks until the top of the day.” 

Journeys & Excursions 

While you research overseas with AIFS Overseas, you’ll get to go on some wonderful journeys and excursions round your host nation. On the weekends, you’ll even have the chance to set out by yourself or with the chums you’ve made in your program, as Irina did: 

“I attempted to journey nearly each weekend until there was an necessary cultural occasion within the metropolis. One in every of my favourite locations was Bern as a result of I met with my distant household and we traveled to the mountains, which had been near the town. It was fairly and clear there. A couple of different memorable locations had been snowboarding in Andorra and exploring Seville.” 

Recommendation for Future Examine Overseas College students 

For anybody who’s going to check overseas sooner or later, Irina affords the next recommendation: 

“It’s necessary to just accept a unique tradition in all facets and go into every part with an open thoughts. If you’re ever having any hassle, don’t hesitate to hunt assist from [AIFS Abroad] on-site [staff] or buddies you make overseas. Preserving monitor of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion is necessary; holding a journal or a photograph diary can assist you look again at these reminiscences. The experiences you undergo throughout this time might form and alter your outlook on life and the way you’ll proceed residing. My recommendation is to profit from your time overseas.” 

Are you able to take the leap and research overseas like Irina did in Valencia? 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 research 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, journeys and excursions, 24/7 emergency help, complete insurance coverage, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your total expertise overseas.