Student Bloggers

I never imagined that I would study outside the country. I never imagined that I would be able to do so with such confidence. I never saw myself as that type of person. However, having the opportunity to study abroad with Arcadia Abroad, showed me that not only was it possible and not only could I do so, but that I was ready for it. 

From my junior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to study Spanish. I knew that I wanted to work within the Spanish community. I can’t quite tell or explain to you why I had such a desire then nor why I do now. The amount of times I have been asked “why have an interest in Spanish?”; responding with something that seems too generic. Because in reality, I just love the language, I love the culture, I love the food, I love what it does, how it portrays itself, in a metaphorical way. So when my senior year of high school came to an end, it was time to pick a major and figure out what I wanted to do for life. I knew I had to do something with Spanish. I didn’t know what I was going to pursue with a degree in Spanish, but I knew that whatever it was, it not only had a connection with Spanish, but also brought me joy. 

It was around the second semester of my freshman year of college when I had made up my mind that I wanted to study abroad. Now I had never been outside the country, but I didn’t let that stop me. Yes I was anxious and fearful of the unexpected. But I was also excited for the new and unknown of studying abroad. Finding a time that felt like the best to go was a bit hard at first but things really started to line up my second year. 

Finding a program at Arcadia Abroad was a catalyst to many great and wonderful memories. I wanted to be somewhere close and not too far since it was my first time, but I also wanted to feel thoroughly immersed. Choosing to study in Cuernavaca, Mexico was probably the best decision I have ever made. Not to sound too dramatic, but this program truly immersed me in a culture, in a wave of people, and in a routine of comfortability. I never felt that this program didn’t fit my needs or my wants. It had everything. My time studying abroad in Cuernavaca helped me grow not only in my confidence of self but in my Spanish. I found a deeper connection to the language and to the culture because of my connection and immersion with the people. For me studying abroad meant expanding my horizons, gaining confidence in my Spanish-speaking abilities, and overall enjoying the aspect of traveling and learning. 

But this is not where my learning stops. This is only the beginning because there is so much more to come.