Leonor Reyes

Studying abroad has always been my dream, just like all other college students. Everyone raves about it being the best experience of their lives. When my advisor encouraged me to pursue this opportunity because it is required, I felt excited. There are many reasons for my enthusiasm: the chance to explore a new part of the world, the unique college experience, and the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture with its food and traditions. I was given two options for the Clemson lead programs focused on Spanish: Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Argentina. I chose Spain because I’ve always wanted to visit Europe. Spain felt like the perfect fit, especially since it is a Spanish-speaking country. My primary goal is to enhance my Spanish language skills while experiencing life in a vibrant culture. Overall, studying in Spain was my number one choice. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure!

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​We heard a lot about Europe and Spain, and I was excited to experience them. We were told to arrive in Madrid and spend two days there. From there, we would take the train to Santiago de Compostela. When we get there, we see that everywhere is within walking distance. However, we are told that Europe uses the public transportation system more than the United States. It was amazing to see that in person. Also, seeing all the architecture was so beautiful. I also loved seeing what everyone wore; they were so into clothes and made it effortless. To me, it wasn't a culture shock. It was just a new way of life. The two days had ended in Madrid, and it was time to go to our new home for the next four months. We hop on the train and then have a four-hour train ride to our new home. When we got to the Santiago de Compostela train station, we realized we made a mistake. We got a warning as soon as we got there. The weather was pouring, and we could not tell where we were.

       

We all had a host family, and most had older ladies. My lady gave me a true blessing. She was lovely and one of the best things that happened to me during the expense. She cared for me; she was there to help me if I needed anything. I will always remember when I first met her. As soon as we get off the train, we all grab our things, and right at the entrance, all our families are waiting for us. My name is the second one called My Lady. She steps up, shakes my hand, and then I leave with her. It was scary, especially since it was my first time meeting her. Nevertheless, she was my favorite person I met in Spain, and I still text her.

     

Even though my time in Spain was short, I experienced many new things, from attending class every day starting at nine and ending at two after knowing. However, at that time, we would only talk in Spanish with a native Spaniard teacher and other exchange students with a high level of Spanish. We would work on lots of different projects. For example, we learn Spain's history, health care, and art and play fun games like Hangman but in Spanish. Even though we had to do lots of work and research, we were treated like natives. For example, we would have a break halfway between classes like everyone else. We would see everyone have a break and get coffee; we felt like everyone else. 

     

When we had weekends free from class, we eagerly took the opportunity to explore. We were determined to practice our Spanish, so we often boarded trains to visit nearby cities around Santiago de Compostela. For example, a nearby town was A Coruña, where we were told it was a must-see city. We enjoyed beach even though it was cold and sampled traditional dishes like octopus during our weekend getaways. We also managed to travel to other countries, including London and Portugal. However, Santiago's small airport limited our ability to explore internationally, offering only a few flights. Despite this, we made the most of our weekends. Each trip was a chance to immerse ourselves in new experiences and cultures. We cherished every moment of our explorations. One activity we did every chance we got was to see soccer games because, in Europe, it is much bigger than in the United States. We also told of three soccer games. We tried to do as much as possible to immerse ourselves in the culture.

   

One thing that we did was above and beyond that was extra. Was that we were forced to do El Camino de Santiago. We had to do this on a weekend in April, and the weather was the worst possible. The crazy thing is that no one from our college came with us. It was all girls with a tour guide. It rained on both days we walked, and it was freezing. It was so cold where we wanted to start, but we couldn't because the Spanish government said there was too much snow for us to start from. One part looked like we were in a movie because it was beautiful. We stopped at many old churches with lots of history behind them. We saw a very cool castle; it was beautiful alone in the woods. I was thankful a bus would be nearby just in case we needed it. They said El Camino de Santiago is supposed to be life changing. People do this to find themselves or peace. In the two days and twenty miles that I did. Did I find myself or find peace? No, but it's funny because when I returned, I realized how popular this walk was.

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The contrast between educational systems in the United States and Spain can be fascinating, particularly regarding cultural nuances in learning styles. In the U.S., there is often an emphasis on structured, goal-oriented learning, where students tend to focus on textbooks and exams. In Spain, however, education tends to emphasize conversational learning, experiential activities, and integration of the local culture into the classroom. This difference is rooted in the cultural values of each country.
There is a strong tradition of community learning in Spain, where students often engage in discussions, debates, and group activities. The focus isn't only on academic achievement and social interaction, which can be a more holistic approach to learning a language. This might explain why local students in Spain experience a more dynamic and integrated classroom environment, where cultural context and language acquisition are tightly interwoven.​​

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It can be challenging to fully immerse in this experience as a foreign exchange student, especially when placed in a class with other international students. This limits your exposure to local nuances and the opportunity to engage with native speakers in more spontaneous settings. Being in a class with local students would enhance your linguistic skills and offer a deeper understanding of cultural subtleties—like the regional variations in language, humor, customs, and even attitudes toward learning itself. Local students bring their personal experiences into their language use, providing an authentic context for language learning that textbooks or teacher-led instruction might not fully capture.

When education focuses on straightforward concepts, it can sometimes feel like you're only scratching the surface of the language. While grammar and vocabulary are crucial, learning through interaction with local speakers would provide a more prosperous and more diverse linguistic landscape. For example, hearing how colloquial phrases are used in everyday life or understanding the cultural references embedded in language helps create a deeper connection to the language beyond the classroom.

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​Furthermore, learning in a class with locals would bring new perspectives to the educational experience. In Spain, there is more value placed on discussions and open dialogue. The class likely involved much more fluid, interactive exchanges that would allow for language practice in real-world contexts. This reinforces grammar and vocabulary and helps integrate idiomatic expressions and cultural references that often need to be included in more structured, non-immersive language courses.
Thus, while being in a class with fellow international students can be comforting, it can limit your full engagement with the local culture. Integrating into a Spanish class with local students would allow for a more holistic and immersive educational experience, deepening language proficiency and cultural understanding. Learning a language is not just about memorizing words but also understanding the cultural context that gives those words meaning—something that would have been more apparent in an immersive class with local students.​​​​​​​​​​​

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Overall, my time abroad was one in a lifetime. I should have picked a different program but tried to make the best of it. I did that by trying new things and talking to everyone who would speak to me. I will remember one thing forever: watching TV with my host lady. This is because we would watch the Spanish version of many shows that we would watch in America. Another memory that I laugh about is how many times we would get gelato because there was a little shop in our town that was good, and it was within walking distance. We would go and get gelato every chance we got, but because we walked everywhere, we said it was OK that we had earned it from the walking we did. Even though the program isn't great, other things made it sound better. From the people I met to the places I saw to trying new things. I will never forget my study abroad and the people I met that made it worth remembering.  ​​​​​​​​​​​