After spending six weeks in the small town of Oviedo, Spain
this summer, I can honestly say how much I have learned and gained from this
experience. It was probably one of the most rewarding experiences that I have
had and it helped me grow tremendously as an individual. That being said, I had
a hard time committing to this study abroad. I was beyond nervous about living
with a host family, trying new food, the classes I would be taking and being in
a completely new surrounding. Through my experiences, my host family and the
many friendships I made, I now know that I made the right decision to study
abroad. It was an unforgettable experience that I will be talking about for the
rest of my life.
My Host Family
This was the single most nerve-racking aspect of the entire
study abroad experience for me. The idea of sleeping in someone else’s home
(who very likely doesn’t speak English) seemed absurd. However, my host family
was absolutely amazing and what they offered me through the authentic Spanish
culture, food, daily life and hospitality was irreplaceable. I had a host mom
and a host dad, as well as an eight-year-old host brother. They were very
welcoming and wanted to learn as much about me and where I come from as I did
about Spain and the Spanish language. My host mom cooked excellent food and
always gave me more than enough food. She also took me to the spa! I have to
say that living with a host family was a very rewarding experience that I could
not have gotten if I had lived in a student housing situation.
Daily Life
This is something I wanted to share because it was my
biggest question before I headed to Spain. What will I actually be doing there?
Well, in my program we had class for a few hours each day. After class we would
return home for a meal and siesta with our new Spanish families. Then the rest
of the day was ours. We would frequently visit the mall, the beach, a museum or
just walk around the old part of town. By the end of two or three weeks, I felt
very comfortable with the town of Oviedo. I really miss those afternoons in
Spain.
The Language
When I boarded the plane from the United States to Spain I
did not know very much Spanish. I was so nervous about being able to
communicate. Although it was difficult, I progressed more with my Spanish
abilities in six weeks than I ever thought possible. By the time I left Oviedo
I felt comfortable speaking Spanish with a native speaker. I felt confident and
finally felt like becoming fluent in a second language was something I could
achieve.
Overall, I had an amazing study abroad experience. It opened
my eyes to a whole different culture and way of living. I learned so much about
the Spanish language, the culture of Spain, the history of Europe and most of
all, myself. I can’t wait for the day I get to go back and visit again!
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