Sara’s Spring Semester in Valencia

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Desirous to step into the footsteps of a faculty pupil who studied overseas in Spain? We just lately spoke with AIFS Overseas pupil Sara from College of Colorado Denver who spent her spring semester within the metropolis of Valencia. 

Uncover how Sara’s expertise as a pupil with AIFS Overseas in Valencia gave her hands-on tutorial expertise and helped her develop helpful profession abilities! 

Selecting a Research Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period 

Deciding when and the place to examine overseas generally is a robust choice for a lot of college students (our workforce can assist with that!). There are various choices and each private and tutorial components to have in mind. Happily, with an AIFS Overseas program, you’re assured a top quality tutorial expertise in an thrilling metropolis overseas, regardless of which one you select. Right here’s why Sara selected to go to Valencia within the spring: 

“I selected Valencia for my examine overseas program as a result of it gives the proper stability of wealthy cultural heritage, fashionable innovation, and a tremendous high quality of life. Town’s deep historical past, vibrant native traditions like Las Fallas, and robust sense of neighborhood made it an excellent place to immerse myself in Spanish tradition. Plus, its location on the Mediterranean meant I might take pleasure in lovely seashores, nice climate, and unimaginable meals—particularly paella, which originated right here! 

I selected to review overseas within the spring time period as a result of it felt like the proper time to expertise Valencia at its liveliest. One of many greatest highlights of finding out within the spring was attending to witness Las Fallas, town’s most well-known competition. The vitality, the huge inventive sculptures, the fireworks, and the nonstop celebrations made my expertise unforgettable. Spring additionally meant nice climate and hotter [without] the extraordinary summer time warmth, so exploring town, the seashores, and even close by locations was comfy and pleasing.” 

Educational Experiences 

You possibly can consider the examine overseas expertise as being made up of two components. First, there’s the cultural and journey side—the entire advantages of attending to reside like a neighborhood in a brand new nation and immerse your self within the tradition whilst you construct a world perspective and turn out to be extra unbiased. The second half is the tutorial expertise, which can be crucial (in spite of everything, it’s known as examine overseas)—taking programs overseas provides you distinctive alternatives and helps you construct helpful tutorial and profession abilities. Happily, all AIFS Overseas applications are held at famend universities and host establishments the place programs will advance your tutorial data. 

“Whereas finding out overseas, I attended Universidad Católica de Valencia (UCV), and the expertise was really unforgettable. The college had a welcoming and supportive environment, making it straightforward to regulate to life in Spain. The small class sizes allowed for extra interplay with professors, and I appreciated how engaged and approachable they had been. Courses had been structured in a different way than what I used to be used to again residence, with a larger emphasis on unbiased studying and important pondering, which challenged me in a great way. 

Among the best facets of finding out at UCV was its location within the coronary heart of Valencia—being surrounded by historic buildings, native cafés, and vibrant metropolis life made daily really feel like an journey. The college additionally had a robust deal with international views, which made it straightforward to attach with each native and worldwide college students. Whether or not it was by way of coursework, cultural actions, or just navigating each day life in Valencia, my time at UCV was an unimaginable mix of educational progress and cultural immersion. I’d extremely suggest this program to college students on the lookout for a stability of teachers, cultural exploration, and a supportive studying setting.” 

Sara explains one of many nice advantages of finding out overseas—it exposes you to folks from all around the globe, akin to locals, different worldwide college students, and AIFS Overseas contributors from throughout the U.S.: 

“In my courses, there have been different AIFS Overseas college students, however I additionally had courses with native Spanish college students and different worldwide college students from completely different nations. This made for an fascinating dynamic, as we obtained to listen to completely different views and experiences. Having native college students in school additionally helped me enhance my Spanish abilities and get a greater understanding of Spanish tradition from their viewpoint. It was an effective way to attach with folks outdoors of the AIFS program and get a extra immersive tutorial expertise.” 

Many examine overseas applications provide tutorial alternatives you possibly can’t get at your own home college. For instance, Sara was in a position to examine Marine Ecology within the Mediterranean Sea—how’s that for hands-on studying! 

“One of the vital memorable facets of my tutorial expertise in Valencia was the Marine Ecology course, which mixed classroom studying with subject journeys to the Mediterranean coast. Getting to review marine ecosystems in a hands-on method made the fabric really feel a lot extra actual and fascinating. One other standout was my Service Studying: Social Justice class, the place I had the chance to have interaction with the local people and study social points in Spain from a firsthand perspective. The lectures on Spain’s cultural and historic evolution in my Tradition and Society in Modern Spain class additionally deepened my understanding of how historical past shapes fashionable Spanish identification. Exterior of sophistication, attending visitor lectures on sustainability and concrete planning in Valencia was eye-opening, particularly seeing how town integrates inexperienced areas, public transport, and environmental initiatives into its infrastructure. These tutorial experiences not solely challenged me intellectually but in addition gave me a deeper connection to town and its folks.” 

Language Studying 

Though you do not want to be fluent in one other language to review or intern overseas, some college students select to go to a rustic that already speaks their native language, as Sara did: 

“Since I’m a local Spanish speaker, finding out overseas in Valencia was a singular expertise as a result of I didn’t have to fret a few language barrier the best way many different college students did. Nonetheless, I rapidly realized that Spanish in Spain is completely different from the Spanish I grew up talking. The accent, slang, and even some on a regular basis phrases took some getting used to. I turned extra assured utilizing formal Spanish, improved my listening abilities, and even picked up a number of Valenciano phrases alongside the best way.” 

If you happen to solely converse English and don’t wish to examine overseas in a rustic that speaks one other language, no worries! We provide a number of program locations in English-speaking nations. 

Making Connections Overseas 

Whenever you intern or examine overseas, you’ll be round plenty of new people who find themselves keen to fulfill you. Learning or interning overseas is the proper alternative to make pals and develop your skilled community, as Sara skilled: 

“Constructing private {and professional} connections whereas finding out overseas in Valencia was some of the rewarding components of my expertise. I made pals by way of my AIFS Overseas program, courses at UCV, and my homestay, however I additionally pushed myself to fulfill locals and different worldwide college students. Among the best methods I linked with folks was by saying sure, whether or not it was to a gaggle dinner, a weekend journey, or simply grabbing espresso after class. Being open to new experiences and stepping out of my consolation zone helped me kind significant friendships that I nonetheless cherish.” 

Adjusting to the Native Tradition 

Tradition shock could sound a bit scary, but it surely’s simply a part of the method, and most examine overseas college students handle simply high quality whereas they modify to their new setting. For a lot of American college students who examine overseas in Spain, the extra relaxed way of life and later meals generally is a little bit of a problem initially: 

“One of many greatest tradition shocks I skilled whereas finding out in Valencia was adjusting to Spain’s each day rhythm and way of life. The later mealtimes had been a giant change—lunch round 2-3 PM and dinner as late as 9-10 PM. At first, I discovered myself ravenous at what would usually be dinnertime again residence, however over time, I adjusted by snacking strategically and embracing the slower tempo of meals. 

The siesta tradition was one other shift. Whereas not all the things shuts down in huge cities, I did need to plan errands and grocery procuring round mid-afternoon closures. As a substitute of preventing it, I discovered to make use of that point to chill out, discover, or make amends for studying, which really helped me decelerate and luxuriate in my days extra. 

Socially, I needed to get comfy with Spain’s extra direct communication model. At first, I mistook it for rudeness, however I spotted that Spaniards are simply extra simple—which made conversations simpler as soon as I tailored. One of many issues I actually admired about Valencia and Spanish tradition was the emphasis on residing within the second and prioritizing neighborhood and connection over continually speeding by way of life. The slower tempo of each day life, from lengthy, relaxed meals to night strolls (paseos) by way of town, actually stood out to me. Individuals take their time to take pleasure in their meals, their conversations, and their environment, which felt so completely different from the fast-paced, always-on-the-go mentality again residence.”

Housing 

All AIFS Overseas applications embrace housing. Relying in your program location, housing choices could embrace a pupil residence, a shared house, or a homestay. Right here’s why Sara was so glad she selected a homestay: 

“I stayed in a homestay throughout my time in Valencia, and it was actually the most effective components of my examine overseas expertise. My host mother and I turned besties, and she or he made me really feel like a part of the household from day one. Residing along with her gave me an inside have a look at each day Spanish life, from home-cooked meals to lengthy conversations about all the things from historical past to native traditions. It was additionally one of the simplest ways to totally immerse myself within the tradition. I obtained to expertise firsthand how Spaniards construction their days, from late dinners to weekend household gatherings.” 

Weekend Journeys 

As Sara emphasizes under, weekend journeys are an enormous bonus of finding out overseas. Bear in mind, whenever you’re not in school, your time is yours to do as you select—in case you’ve nonetheless obtained the journey bug whereas overseas, you possibly can select to journey past your host nation! 

“Among the best components of finding out overseas was having the chance to take weekend journeys, and my absolute favourite locations had been Morocco and Portugal. Visiting Morocco was an unforgettable expertise. I obtained to discover the colourful markets of Marrakech, journey camels within the Sahara Desert, and expertise the unimaginable hospitality and wealthy tradition firsthand. The colours, the meals, and the vitality of town had been not like something I had ever seen. Portugal was equally superb, with its beautiful coastal views, charming streets, and laid-back environment. I fell in love with Lisbon’s colourful structure, the well-known Pastéis de Nata, and the unimaginable viewpoints overlooking town. The mix of historical past, tradition, and journey in each Morocco and Portugal made these journeys among the most memorable experiences of my examine overseas journey, and I might suggest them to anybody on the lookout for a mixture of tradition, journey, and breathtaking surroundings.” 

Profession Alternatives Overseas 

Learning overseas won’t solely lay a robust tutorial basis in your future profession however it’s going to additionally provide help to construct a world skilled community and develop mushy abilities that will likely be invaluable in your skilled life. Right here’s how finding out overseas helped broaden Sara’s skilled horizons: 

“Learning overseas in Valencia has had a huge effect on my profession objectives and future plans. Residing in a brand new nation, adapting to a special tradition, and navigating challenges independently gave me a stage of confidence and adaptableness that I do know will set me aside in any skilled setting. I’ve discovered the way to talk throughout cultures, problem-solve in unfamiliar conditions, and construct relationships with folks from varied backgrounds, all of that are extremely helpful abilities in right this moment’s international workforce.

This expertise additionally deepened my curiosity in sustainability and international points. Seeing firsthand how Valencia integrates inexperienced areas, sustainable transportation, and environmental consciousness into each day life impressed me to discover methods I can incorporate these values into my profession. I now really feel much more motivated to hunt out alternatives that align with my ardour for sustainability, worldwide collaboration, and social impression.” 

Why AIFS Overseas? 

There are such a lot of causes to decide on AIFS Overseas, akin to our nice program inclusions, thrilling examine overseas locations, and our devoted on-site help employees. One of many issues about AIFS Overseas that stood out to Sara is our dedication to sustainability: 

“I selected AIFS due to its sturdy popularity for offering immersive and well-supported examine overseas experiences. I had heard nice issues in regards to the group’s dedication to cultural alternate, pupil help, and tutorial excellence. What actually stood out to me, although, was AIFS’s deal with sustainability. The truth that they combine environmentally accountable practices into their applications, from encouraging sustainable journey to supporting eco-friendly initiatives, made me really feel assured that I used to be selecting a company that aligns with my values. I needed to review overseas with a program that not solely prioritized schooling and cultural experiences but in addition cared about its environmental impression.

Throughout my time overseas, the on-site AIFS Overseas employees in Valencia had been superb. They made positive we had all the things we wanted, checked in recurrently, and arranged excursions and cultural actions that helped us expertise Spain past simply teachers. If I ever had questions or considerations about teachers, security, or simply navigating each day life, the employees had been all the time out there and supportive.” 

Ultimate Ideas 

Lastly, to sum up the impression of her expertise, Sara stated: 

“I didn’t count on how a lot this expertise would form my future. Whether or not it’s my profession objectives, private confidence, or simply how I view the world, finding out overseas has expanded my perspective in methods I by no means imagined. I now really feel extra unbiased, extra open to new alternatives, and extra linked to a world neighborhood.” 

Are you a pupil whois able to take the leap and examine overseas with AIFS Overseas like Sara 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 school college students examine overseas. Our applications include many helpful inclusions, which takes lots of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like journeys and excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site employees, and cultural and social actions, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your total expertise overseas.