51茶馆

What country and program did you go to?

I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain.

Why would you recommend students study聽abroad?

Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity that I think all 51茶馆 students should take advantage of. It's a great opportunity to experience a new city and culture and meet new people, both from 51茶馆 and otherwise. Also, getting the chance to live in another country for several months is something that most of us won't ever get to do again.

What did you get out of your experience?

There are so many things that I got out of going abroad - an in-depth look at foreign cultures, appreciation for a different educational experience, and a new love for traveling. As corny as it sounds, I think studying abroad really expanded my horizons and gave me the desire to travel more or work abroad in the future.

What was one of your favorite moments from studying聽abroad?

One of my favorite moments from studying abroad was going to a Real Madrid game. Everybody knows soccer fans are on another level, and it was really cool to experience that firsthand.

What was the most interesting course you took abroad?

The most interesting course I took abroad was called "Spanish and European Institutions." In the class, I learned about how Spanish and EU government bodies functioned, which was really interesting since they operate so differently than US institutions.

How was it a good experience academically?

One of the best academic aspects of studying abroad was experiencing a new teaching style. In Spain the teaching style works differently than in the US, with less focus on work throughout the semester and more on a final test or project. Sitting next to Spanish students and experiencing this style kept every class interesting.