Spain: Saffron Mears
Program: WIP Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spring
Saffron’s Major: Journalism and Spanish
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
The most memorable experiences for me during this program was the ability to travel. One time I remember in particular I was leaving my class, getting on a plane for Morocco, and riding camels by 2 PM the next day. It amazed me that I could so easily travel the world with the help of my program.
After studying abroad, you must become very comfortable with doing activities on your own. Through this experience, I became more independent and willing to try new things.
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
I learned more about myself and the joy of doing activities alone. Before this program, I may have been more hesitant to eat lunch or shop alone, thinking that it made me look odd or made me uncomfortable. However, after studying abroad, you must become very comfortable with doing activities on your own. Through this experience, I became more independent and willing to try new things.
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
The biggest challenge was academics. As someone who has never struggled too intensely with their style of studying or learning, going abroad completely changed my outlook on learning. I was forced to learn new information that was not only new, but also in a language different from my own. These challenges helped me grow and evolve as not only a student, but as a global citizen within my university.