Vocation

My vocational goals as of now are to be a high school teacher and coach soccer. Studying abroad will help me to be further prepared to be able to obtain these goals. While studying abroad I will be participating in the language and culture program. This will consist of different classes structured for the purpose of enhancing my knowledge on the culture and language of Spain. As a teacher I will be qualified to teach Spanish. As this is my favorite subject, my main goal for studying abroad is to enhance my proficiency of the language and improve my knowledge of the culture to be able to teach this subject. Through this program I will be able to do both of these and these skills will directly translate to teaching Spanish which will help me with my vocational goals. Additionally, while in Spain I would like to try to at least get out and play some pick-up soccer if not try to play on a team. This will allow me to get out and meet more people in the community and learn more about the people and their culture.

Academic Differences

Academic Differences of Spain

There are many differences between the academic systems in Spain to that of here at Maryville College. In Spain students typically take about 30 ECTS per semester. This equates to about five or six classes per semester. Credits in Spain have a two to one ratio to credits here. Therefore, thirty there would be fifteen credits here. In this aspect the workload is pretty similar as credits and classes are about the same as one would take at Maryville College. However, the daily workload is typically very different in Spain than here. Most classes do not have much daily homework or assignments. Also, there typically aren't many quizzes or tests throughout the semester if at all. However, most classes have final exams at the end of the semester that are very important. This makes important to make sure that you’re keeping up with the content in the classes throughout the semester even when there aren’t assignments. Another difference is that the professors aren’t as close to the students as here at Maryville College. It is normal that if you want to speak with a professor about something that you set up a meeting. Lastly, the grading system is different in Spain than here. Grades are given on a 10-point scale:

• 9 or 10 is considered excellent (sobresaliente) 
• 7 or 8 is good (notable)
• 6 or 5 is average (aprobado), 

Getting Involved and Living Like a Local

My goals for studying abroad are to enhance my proficiency in Spanish and to immerse myself into the culture. Therefore, living like a local is very important to me in order to attain my goals. I believe that there are several factors to living like a local. However, the main idea is to figure out about the culture there and how people living in the area live their life. Like we discussed it is important to figure out about their customs, beliefs, attitudes, traditions, foods, language, etc. In order to gain this knowledge it is necessary to interact with people or observe people in the area. Therefore, it is important to not just sit back and expect that you are going to understand the culture without putting forth any effort. I will make an effort to get out and meet people and go to local events. Additionally, for me I believe a big key will be to try and speak the language as much as possible. I know that I will make mistakes and struggle at first but this is the only way to learn. Another positive that I can use to my advantage is that I love playing soccer. Spain is known for being a great soccer country so I will try and find opportunities to play whether it is at the university or in the local community. This should help me to not only do something I love but meet local people which will allow me to better understand how locals live and immerse myself. Also, luckily for me I am good friends with a local student at the University so I will already have that connection which will help me immensely with being able to know anything I need to about the area or culture. All in all, I want to accomplish my goals of better learning the language and culture which will help me also in the future if I teach Spanish. I know that there will be difficulties and differences but I am pretty good at adapting to change.

An American Abroad

From the cultural context-inventory, I found that I am somewhat on the high context side. This hopefully will make it easier to accustom myself to the culture of Spain as it is on the high context side as well. I believe for me some of my biggest strengths for adapting to a new culture is that I am fairly easy going, flexible, and good at going with the flow. I don’t tend to stress out in situations that I am unaccustomed to and I like learning about new ways of doing things. Culturally, besides the language, I think the biggest difference for me will be small things such as the differences with being on time, the difference in food, and eating times. However, as I said, I don’t think this is anything that will be too big of a challenge, just something that may take a little time to get used to. As far as educating others about the culture of being American, I can give them some of the general characteristics if one wants to know. I would inform them that we are pretty individualistic, goal-driven, and nationalistic people. We place a high importance on reaching our goals and we tend to always be busy and on the go. Whereas in many cultures people will just take the time to talk and hang out, many Americans don’t seem to have time for this. Lastly, it seems that we like to eat.

Study Abroad Goals

Goals for Study Abroad

Studying abroad is something that I have wanted to do more than anything for the past couple years. Unfortunately, this is something I have not been able to actually put into place until now due to playing soccer and scheduling conflicts. Now that I finally have the opportunity to experience this dream I am very excited and also a little nervous at the same time as I will be far away in a completely different culture. However, Not only do I have many goals for studying abroad but I also believe that my experience abroad will help me reach my professional goals.

            My first goal for studying abroad is to improve my fluency and language proficiency as far as Spanish is concerned. Being fluent in another language is something that I always have thought would be a cool skill and asset for life. Therefore, during my trip abroad to Spain, I want to try to speak and learn as much from native speakers as possible. As I’ve heard from my good friend and many others who have went abroad, they have all said to make sure not to be afraid of speaking and making mistakes. Many times people are afraid to get out and talk to natives and speak their first language with other study abroad students because it’s more comfortable. Therefore, I want to try to speak as much Spanish as possible and not regret not making the most of the opportunity.

            Also, as I have a Spanish minor from Maryville and am in the teacher licensure program, one day I would like to be able to teach Spanish. Studying abroad in Spain will give me the opportunity to experience not only the Spanish language but Hispanic culture first hand. My goal is to immerse myself and learn as much as possible about the Hispanic culture and language which I believe will be critical in becoming an effective Spanish teacher. Studying abroad will provide a great opportunity for me to utilize the Spanish language daily which will be invaluable in achieving my future professional goals.

Additionally, this experience will afford me the unique opportunity of living in a country known for its national passion for soccer. Playing soccer is something I have done my whole life and a sport I played here for the past four years. While living in Spain I would like to get involved in some type of soccer league which I believe would also be a great opportunity for immersing myself into the culture and getting to know more people.

As this trip approaches I am sure I will become more anxious and nervous about the opportunity that lies ahead. I know that it will be very challenging and intimidating being so far away in a different culture and language for a long period of time. However, I know that it is incredible opportunity that will make me a better person and allow me to come back with much more knowledge, language skills, and cool experiences to share.