To completely immerse myself in Spain’s culture, I had decided to detach myself from technology and maximize my engagement with the community of Alcalá de Henares. This summer, I spent a month studying Spanish at the University of Alcalá, where I took two courses: Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Spanish Phonetics and Phonemics. Although I knew that my experience in Spain would extend to aspects other than my coursework. My expectations for my study abroad experience were primarily to enhance my Spanish fluency. Before my travels to Spain, I had spent 6 weeks in Colombia. I knew that there would be many vocabulary and grammatical nuances (such as vosotros), given my prior knowledge. I aimed to expand my global understanding of Spanish and examine the differences between Latin American and European Spanish. It took a lot of practice, including mistakes! I will not forget the one time I attempted to order an orange juice from a cafe. In Latin America, the word for juice is “jugo”. I quickly found out this was not the case in Spain, and they use “zumo” instead. I also wanted to increase my cultural competency, learn about the history of Alcalá and Spain, and try many new foods. I am thrilled to say that I have accomplished that goal, and far beyond it as well. During my study abroad, I stayed with a homestay family (including a puppy named Leo!), and I was determined to establish a strong connection with my host mother. I wanted to learn about her family, traditions, and thoughts on the politics and healthcare system in Spain; I am very grateful that she was open to teaching me about her culture and background. Viaja conmigo through the rest of my journey in Spain!

(Spanish for Healthcare Professionals class field trip)

(My host mother and I featuring paella she made)