Since my arrival in Alcalá de Henares, Spain through the Pitt in Spain study abroad program, I have been put to the task of learning how to navigate this new environment, including the culture, the language, and the day-to-day lifestyle. My navigation of this new global space has been guided by my own efforts as well as the influence of fellow students, teachers, and directors associated with the Pitt in Spain study abroad program. As a whole, I would say that the process of immersing myself into Hispanic language and culture over the past few weeks has been somewhat challenging; however, I believe that these challenges and obstacles have been extremely rewarding toward my growth as a student and a global citizen. 

So far, my participation in the Pitt in Spain study abroad program has resulted in only a few minor obstacles. One of the obstacles that I personally had to overcome was that of culture shock. When I first arrived at the University of Alcalá – jet-lagged and completely exhausted – I was overwhelmed by the thought of adapting to the language and culture of Spain. For example, when I initially began to interact with Spanish speakers in the airport of Madrid, it took me some time to process the conversations I was having. This caused me to feel overwhelmed and concerned about my proficiency in the Spanish language. After some much needed sleep, I reminded myself that the purpose of this program is to improve my ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish – and that errors and challenges are expected in the process of learning. To further overcome this obstacle, I discussed with my peers their experience transitioning to the culture of the Pitt in Spain program; I found that many of us were feeling the same way, but committed ourselves to pushing through the challenge. Overcoming culture shock with a community of students in a similar situation has aided me in adapting to Spanish language and culture. Now that several days have passed since my arrival, I am much more confident and comfortable in this new environment; I am so grateful to have had this learning experience about tolerating and overcoming culture shock. 

Despite the few obstacles I have faced, the Pitt in Spain study abroad program has also provided me with several great opportunities and experiences related to Hispanic language and culture. For example, in my first few days at the University of Alcalá, I participated in a tour of Alcalá de Henares, Spain. This gave me a wonderful introduction to the city where the Pitt in Spain program is centralized. While here, I have visited several convents and historical sites, such as the home of Miguel de Cervantes; with these experiences, I have increased my knowledge of the history of Spain and the program that I am currently participating in. 

I have also thoroughly enjoyed the community surrounding the University of Alcalá. Each day I have the opportunity to interact with Spanish speakers in my residence hall. Whether it be merely eating at the dining hall, going to class, or exploring the city of Alcalá, I get the chance to engage with the Spanish language. My favorite activity so far are my classes of medical translation and peninsular literature – they are extremely immersive and require much active participation. This has helped me to apply the Spanish that I already know in the real-world, as well as expand my understanding of even more. I definitely have had to adapt to the extensive use of the Spanish language, but it has been a relatively smooth transition. 

Overall, navigating the environment of Spain has been a complex process, with some highs and lows. All of the experiences that I have had, though, contribute to my development as a person, a student, and a general member of society. I am so excited to continue obtaining experiences related to Hispanic language and culture during the remainder of my stay in Spain!