Spain: Sophia Schlorf
Program: IES Barcelona, Spring
Sophia’s Major: Genetics & Genomics and Global Health
What is the moment you are most proud of?
I can’t say there is one specific moment I am most proud of, but overall, I am proud of my ability to immerse myself in the culture through the use of language. I’ve grown up taking Spanish classes, so it has always been a dream of mine to be able to use that knowledge in the real world. Through studying in Barcelona and taking Spanish class here, I’ve felt that my ability to communicate with people has increased substantially. I feel confident when I am in the community that I will be able to understand people who speak Spanish around me and respond in Spanish appropriately. At first, it was very scary to use my skills from the classroom in the real world. However, as I have spent more time in Barcelona, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and used Spanish to communicate, which I’m very proud of.
I can’t say there is one specific moment I am most proud of, but overall, I am proud of my ability to immerse myself in the culture through the use of language.
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
Studying abroad in Barcelona and having the ability to travel throughout my program has allowed me to meet new people and experience many different cultures. People’s background and culture shapes how they view themselves and the world around them, so exposing myself to different perspectives can help me to have a greater understanding of how different people think. As someone who plans to have a career in medicine, being able to understand how someone’s culture may shape their perspective on medicine is an important skill to have. Each patient deserves a physician who takes the time to understand how their experiences shape their outlook on their prognosis and uses this understanding to personalize their treatment. My experience studying abroad will help me to accomplish this task and improve my abilities as a physician.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
The custom/tradition that I will take forward is the use of eating food as a way to socialize. In Spain, it is common for people to grab a coffee or a meal with a friend and use that time to truly catch up with a person. Rarely do you see a person eating alone in a restaurant here. Because you have to ask for the check in Spain, mealtimes can last a long time, as long as you would like them to be, and there is no pressure to wrap up a conversation early. The idea of using mealtime to catch up with friends or family is one I intend to keep with me when I return to the United States. I have loved slowing down when I eat and using that time to enjoy the company of those around me.