Name: Jenny Vitale
Major: Spanish
Program: ISA
Traveled Abroad Before: No

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: Traveling abroad to Spain changed my life in so many positive ways. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my study abroad experience is all the amazing people that I met.

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: I'm a Spanish major, so I knew I wanted to go somewhere where they spoke the language. After a lot of research, I fell in love with Sevilla, a city in Southern Spain and I was set on it!

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: How easy it was to get accustomed to a new life! I was worried about getting lost, language barriers and being home sick, however International Studies Abroad (ISA)prepared me so thoroughly for my trip that I felt well equipped to handle numerous situations.

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: Sevilla will forever be my second home and I am so thankful that I picked this destination. The people, food, culture and landmarks make is so unique. It's a big city, but most everything is in walking distance or conveniently located bus and metro stops.

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Travel as much as you can during the weekends or vacation time! Flights and bus tickets within Europe are relatively cheap, so make the most of it and see as MUCH as you can! The time goes by fast!

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: I was determined to better my language skills and learn about the Hispanic culture. My academic goal while studying abroad was to learn as much as I could outside of the classroom through experiences.

Question? Email Jenny!

Name: Haley Otman
Major: Spanish
Program: Granada through API
Traveled Abroad Before: No

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: Two things come to mind: faces of my new friends and sights that I have seen.

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: I was definitely going to be studying in a Spanish-speaking country, and I chose Spain because I would also have the opportunity to see more of Europe. I specifically chose Granada because the pictures looked like a place I would want to live- a city but not one that was too big like Madrid. Additionally, Granada is one of the most affordable places in Spain and has great weather- cold for them is 60 degrees.

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: - The people are very honest! My host mom flat-out told me which one of her children is her favorite, and she recommended that I work out in the park! I was a little offended at first, but then I thought, "well, it is true that I've gained a few pounds since I got here..." She (and other Spaniards I have met) did not do it to be rude, and I actually like it because I knew that when I asked her a question I was going to get an honest answer. - Soup is very popular and almost every lunch consists of a soup with some or all of the following: garbanzo beans, rice, white beans, chicken broth, short noodles. - If you dress like you are working out (i.e. sweats and a t-shirt with running shoes), you better actually be working out or else you will get a lot of weird looks. People really get ready every time they leave the house. - The classes did not have the same emphasis on homework and daily graded activities as U.S. classes. A lot of my classes were mostly just exams and if you missed a class you didn't miss any make-up work (just the information).

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: Granada was incredible and I would recommend it to everyone. There is no GVSU program there, so you have to go with a Non-GVSU option. API was a great value for the money- they took us to Rome (flight and hotel included) and for a weekend in Cádiz in a four-star hotel, all for less than most other programs. The downside is that I felt they were not super organized in Granada (the home base in Texas was very organized but the staff we dealt with every day weren't).

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Go to intercambios (language exchanges) so you can meet actual Spaniards instead of spending all of your time with other Americans studying abroad. Also, live with a host family- they probably won't speak much English and then you'll be forced to practice your Spanish a lot more.

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: To become fluent at Spanish. I'm not sure if that's where I am now, but I know I have improved immensely and I'm a lot less nervous to speak with people than I was before.

Question? Email Haley!