See stories from GVSU Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients before, during & after their adventures abroad.
¡Hola! from Bilbao, Spain
These past 7 months have been a blur of unique experiences, tripping over new words (both in Spanish and Basque), numerous defeats, and learning to find the joy in the smallest of victories. Not only have I grown to be more confident in who I am and my ability to speak a second language, I have furthermore had to completely open my mind and heart to the Spanish culture. Thanks to the Padnos family I have pushed my boundaries in grammar and linguistics courses, stood at the front of a foreign language class for the first time as a teacher, learned to Latin dance, explored countless pieces of Spanish literature, tried snails, cow tongue and jamón iberico, and have somehow found time to develop my senior project on methods of teaching a second language for the Grand Valley Honors College. From the many rainy days I have spent inside discussing cultural differences with my host family to the sunshine filled hours we have used to explore the city, I find myself at a loss of word to truly describe my experience and the gratefulness I feel for the Padnos family. Above all muchísimo gracias y eskerrik asko.
A greeting from Bilbao,
Lauren Hamberg
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