My experience in Spain was amazing and life-changing. Now that I am back in Pittsburgh, I find myself reflecting on my European summer and all of the opportunities that came with it. Before this experience, I had never travelled outside of the country…Now, I have travelled to both Spain and Germany (the first of many…

The city of Madrid is a special place, with a completely different pace from life in Pittsburgh. In Spain, even in a metropolitan area like Madrid, time is a little slower than in the US, where people are constantly in a hurry, focused on work and plans. In Madrid, people literally walk slower (to my…

Adjusting to the newness of Spain was a challenge in many different ways. I was immersed in a completely different language and culture. Initially, at work and at home, I struggled to understand Spanish and was unable to articulate myself effectively in both casual and professional conversations. My AHA moment, or Ajá en español, came…

¡Hola a todos! Going into this experience, I anticipated that I would encounter many hurdles trying to navigate conversations in my second language, transportation in a new city, and cultural differences at work and at home. The biggest challenge for me has not been cultural, but rather meteorological. I spent 8 weeks in Spain, and…

¡Hola a todos! I have finally set foot back on American soil after spending 8 weeks studying abroad in Spain. I had the unique opportunity of interning full-time in Madrid and living with a host family during the summer, which gave me the chance to practice my Spanish, gain professional experience, and embrace the vibrant…