First Blog Post: Studying Abroad in Spain

I want to go abroad to learn more of other countries cultures. I believe this leads to better communication between people and therefor it leads to better understanding between whole cultures. I think the best agenda to have while going abroad is to be open to any and everything the culture has to offer. This could be slang in a language to a certain type of food that looks gross, but the main thing to me is to try everything once. I want this experience to get me out of my comfort zone. I have never had a problem speaking to new people, but this will be a new experience completely.

When I first applied for study abroad I was nervous, and I did not know what to think about the future at that point, and up until my placement I had mixed feelings. Then I got my placement, and at that point I was so excited it seemed meant to be. I could not be happier to be able to have this opportunity to go study in another country. Even more specifically Spain. I have had an affinity for Europe ever since I was able to go with the Maryville College Men’s Soccer Team to Germany and Italy. That was an experience of a lifetime, and to be able to go back to Europe will be an amazing experience since I will have a whole semester opposed to just two weeks.

The three things I would like to do are going to be generic, but at the same time the will be key to getting the full experience in Spain while I am there. First off, I would like to speak 80% Spanish every week while I am there. My Spanish is advanced at the moment, but I would like to turn that into fluent by the end of the trip. Secondly, I would love to go to a La Liga game while there, and this is due to my affinity for soccer, but also for the love the culture of Spain has built around soccer. What better way to learn about Spain then through how they play soccer in person. I have been told you can learn a lot about a country from the way a country’s people play a sport. Hopefully this can give me some experience I have not had before. Along with that goal, I would love to play soccer for a club team, or just pick up while I am there. Lastly, I need to travel the country. Like in America, even in different countries there are different sub-cultures within the country. I would like to try and experience most of the sub-cultures of Spain while I am there, so I can make the most out of my trip. 

Goals for Germany!

I was 16 years old the first time I went to Germany. Immediately, I felt like I was in my element, I felt like this was a place where I wanted to stay. So, needless to say, I knew I would find a way back. So, I traveled abroad again when I was 18. This time I had a better understanding of the language and I could embrace, in better detail, the difference in culture between America and Germany. Whether it was riding bikes, going to beer gardens or visiting historical sites, I was mesmerized for a second time. Ever since then, I have been yearrning to return.

Boom! So, what happens? I get accepted and placed at the Katholische Universtat in Eichstätt, Germany! I was, and am, elated beyond description. Finally, a chance not only to return to Germany, but a chance to study, learn, and grow in my passions, goals and dreams.

The goals I have for myself are best manifested, but not limited to, two different categories: social/spiritual goals and academic goals. Academically, I am interested in two things. I want to become as proficient as I can in the German language while earning a German language minor. I also want to deepen my knowledge and understanding of early church history/Catholicism in Europe. The Protestant Reformation was not only a turning point in religious persons history, but the non-religious as well. So, to be near the very origins of the movement, and studying at a Catholic University seems to be the perfect placement for me. Having a better sense and knowledge for the German language and early church history will benefit my overall preparation for seminary. Whether it is understanding more deeply the nuance of a word in German to assist in an ontological argument, or explaining the importance of becoming a free-thinking citizen, I want to learn it all.

While I expect the social, spiritual, and academic to all overlap, they all will happen on their own time. What I am hoping for socially is to secure strong relationships and bonds with native Germans. My German won't get any better if I only hang out with Americans. I hope to truly speak, engage, and sympathize with people of a different culture. This ties in with my spiritual hopes and aspirations too. When you open up, sympathize, and are even not afraid to engage in difficult conversation with people different from yourself, you broaden the lens of your prospective. So, while these things will undoubtably prepare me for seminary, I hope this is the next step towards living my most fulfilling life.

Blog Post #1

Next spring I will be studying abroad in Spain. My primary goal for studying in Spain is to become fluent in Spanish and to live among locals to become better acquainted with their culture. I would also like to travel around Spain as well as other countries in Europe. Another goal of mine is to be able to have tapas and wine every week! 

Before heading to Spain, I am worried about the language barrier. I am excited to meet new people and experience their culture; however, I am nervous that my Spanish will not be up to the level of understanding all of my professors. 

The first thing I would like to do to maximize my experience is to make friends who are locals of Madrid so that I can experience the city as a local. I also want to push myself to only speaking Spanish so that I can try to avoid the language barrier as much as possible. Lastly, I want to try as much Spanish things as possible (food) and avoid American chains. 

Study Abroad Goals

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine; in fact, it was one of the main reasons why I decided to go to college. I have always wanted to experience my major from a different perspective and culture that I can’t get from home. The chance to gain different journalistic styles and written communication will help me to improve my overall journalistic ability. Furthermore, interacting with new people of different backgrounds will encourage me as a journalist to tell stories from a different perspective. I think that the chance to immerse myself in a different education system is a great way to understand the people and their different traditions and cultures and will help me to have a better, well-rounded experience at Maryville College.

            Going to college out of state was the first time I had ever been away from home. I think that leaving the US will help me to better appreciate the nation’s people and how their history differs from the US. The chance to experience a completely new way of life is very exciting and fascinating to me because, upon graduation, I am not sure where I want to live; maybe the United Kingdom could be the place for me to grow socially and career wise. However, I will not know until I get there.

            I chose the United Kingdom because, as a requirement to graduate, I must do a senior thesis about a subject within my major. I plan to do a study on how TV journalism is the same/different between the UK and the US. My thesis will focus on news and current events in both countries as well as international relations and how it is presented in the news media. I need to go to United Kingdom to fully understand the media presentation and media’s effect on society.

Nate Long: Blog 1

Just two days ago I found out that I would be studying abroad in Pamplona in the North of Spain.  I have many things that I want to do and see while there being both in Spain and out.  The main goal that I have in studying abroad is that I want to become fluent in Spanish seeing as it is my major and just as a personal goal of mine.  However, outside of the classroom and language skills I want to travel as much as possible while there.  I want to be able to travel outside of Spain to other countries but at this point I don’t really know where all this includes.  As I draw closer to going, I want to get a better idea of my schedule and the amount of traveling that I will be capable of so that I can make plans.  Within Spain though, I hope to travel to the Madrid and Barcelona being two of the largest cities in Spain.  Not only this but these two cities are home to two of the largest soccer clubs in all of the world and I hope to be able to attend at least one of their games, especially El Clasico if at all possible.

Having just received my placement I am very excited for the trip but realize that it is months away and I still have much planning to do.  The only thing that I feel I am really nervous about is missing my friends and things that are going to happen back home.  Ultimately though, I know that I will love my time abroad and that seems to make me feel better about not being here for a whole semester.  As far as the actual trip, at this point being a few months away from going I’m not really nervous or scared of anything pertaining to the whole study abroad experience but I feel that as I draw closer I will grow more anxious about the upcoming trip.

When it comes to maximizing my experience the first thing I think I can do is, as already mentioned, to travel as much as possible to see the world and see different cultures.  I feel that this will help me learn greatly about the world and things in it.  Next, seeing as one of my goals is to become fluent, I want to surround myself as much as possible with people who will always speak Spanish with me and help me to improve in the language.  Lastly, I want to make many new friends from all around world for two reasons.  First, to learn about them, where they are from and their culture.  Secondly, for future traveling having these friends around the world would potentially make it easier to travel around the world.

Mackenzie Yaksic: Blog 1

I am spending a semester abroad in Valparaiso, Chile learning Spanish language skills, cultural information, and practicing traditional dance techniques. My main goal for the trip is to learn as much of the Spanish language as I possibly can. I took my first Spanish course the Fall of my Sophomore year in college, and I fell in love with the language. I have a strong desire to learn and speak as masterfully as I possibly can. Another goal of mine is to become well acquainted with traveling, because I wish to travel all over the world during my life time.  I want to learn how to be a savvy traveler, equipped with expert packing knowledge, world-wide personal connections, and a vast traveling resume.
My general feeling about my impending journey is nervousness. I feel nervous for a few specific reasons. First, I am still a novice at the Spanish language. By the time I arrive in Chile, I will have taken only three Spanish language courses. I have a lot to still learn. I am also nervous because I have not yet traveled such a distance for such a time period as this trip. I am anxious to be on my own in another country that does not speak my first language. I am also feeling truly exciting. I know I want to become bilingual and travel the world, and these things need a beginning story. This is my origin story to how I will someday become bilingual and will someday travel many places abroad.
One major thing that I plan to do to maximize my experience is learn as much about the city and country. I want to have an appreciation for the place and its culture, so I want to learn as much as I possibly can, both before and during the trip. I also want to travel while I am abroad. I want to backpack through some of the regions in Southern South America. I also want to make lasting connections while I am on this trip. All students who study abroad have one very special thing that links us all: we all have a hunger for adventure. I want to connect with others and create friendships that will last forever.

Blog 1 (Goals)

- goals and personal agenda (what do you want to accomplish?)
- feelings about impending journey (excitment, fears, etc)
- 3 things you want to do to "maximize your experience"

• Studying abroad, for me, will be an life changing experience that I can't wait to begin. with that said I have certain goals I would like to accomplish. my major goal is to learn more and practice my french and become better. another goal would be to understand the french culture and history. 
• When I found out where i got placed, I was overjoyed and excited. I can't wait for this journey and new experiences to embark on. 
• Being placed at the foot of the french alps, one thing I would like todo is to go skiing in the french alps as my first time skiing. I would also like to travel to Switzerland and Italy. being on the border of both countries, it would be cool to say I went to 2 other countries while abroad. and my third thing I would like todo is is make new friends that I can hopefully see again after I leave.

Goals, feelings, and maximizing my experience

Sarah Husi, TU Dortmund, Germany

goals:
One of my goals as a future educator is to experience as many different classrooms as I possibly can. I feel that I learn best by observing other teachers and settings. By different classrooms I mean a rural Title I school, an inner city school in a populated area, classrooms in many different countries, etc. I hope to take what I learn from experiencing other types of elementary school classes and implement them in my classroom. While I am in Germany I would love to see some classes in other European countries as well. I want to learn as much as I can about other countries' school systems, especially the successful ones, and eventually return to the States and share what I have found with other American teachers.
So my main goal in going abroad to complete my student teaching is to become the best teacher I can be. In addition, I hope to push myself to do things that would not normally be in my comfort zone. I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I do not want to waste it.

feelings:
I am so excited about this experience, but I am also very nervous. I know that the German classroom will be very different from what I am used to. I am also concerned about who my cooperating teacher will be and what he/she will be like. I will be spending a lot of time with the teacher who's classroom I will be in, so I really hope we get along. I am also nervous about how the parents of the children will respond to an American teaching their kids.

3 things to do to maximize my experience:
1. I really want to learn as much German as I can. I believe that will make a huge difference in my experience.
2. Travel as much as possible!
3. Write about my experiences everyday. Take really good notes in the classroom.

Switzerland Bound

I'm Switzerland bound and just slightly terrified. I am so excited that I have been given an opportunity to study theatre in Switzerland and I know that it will be one of the most memorable times of my life. I am excited to live in the capital city, to explore the Swiss Alps, and eat all the European food and try my hand at German. But I'm terrified of the possible language barrier. I'm afraid of being away from everyone and everything I have ever known. I'm afraid I will run out of time and money to do all of the amazing things I want to do and see. But I also know that I am no dumb girl. I can carry on a conversation (maybe not in German, but French is spoke in Switzerland, too) with anyone, I can navigate the bus and train routes with ease, and I am comfortable and confident enough in my own skin that I will make this an experience worth every ounce of fear I have. People are magnificent. I love the way different cultures interact and communicate with each other and how different one lifestyle is from the next. You will never run out of things to learn about a person. I am excited to make new friends and possibly reunite with old ones. The conversations I enjoy the most are the simple and innocent ones that turn in to something deep and meaningful. They are the ones that last all night and move in to the morning. Those conversations will be had. 

Study Abroad: Universitie de Caen

My goals for studying abroad at the Universitie de Caen are, first and foremost, to gain knowledge and understanding of the French language. From there, I hope to carry out or make easier the goals that follow. A second goal of mine is to be more culturally aware of a country's history that is not my own. To do this, I plan on visiting France's historical monuments and well-known landmarks. So not to miss out on the lesser known or "labeled" bits of France's culture, I hope to travel and visit bookshops, cafes, and other enjoyable areas that may be off the beaten path. Using the train system, I hope to see as much of France as possible by taking weekend trips to visit other areas. I do not want to limit myself to France only, though France is my main focus. I would also like to see other countries that surround France if given the opportunity.
 This upcoming travel experience could not be more highly anticipated for me-nor more nerve-racking. I have never lived outside of Tennessee and, furthermore, I have visited very few states and no other countries aside from my own. Caen is situated in Northern France, and I will be going in the spring semester. Because Winter is the most difficult season for me to cope with, I know that I with struggle to handle the colder temperatures at that time of the year. Despite my fears of getting lost in a foreign country and being unable to understand the people that surround me, I feel that to immerse myself in the country's rich culture gives me no other choice than to learn and grow with experience.
I am unsettled about being away from my family for a long period of time. I am very close with my nephews and niece, and at their young ages, I know that I will be missing out on their landmark achievements such as learning to walk and talk. This personal attachment I have with them both discourages and encourages me to go. This trip will allow me to grow in ways I have not been given the chance to, and I will be exposed to the world in a way I have never been. In going away, learning, and coming back, I hope to bring with me knowledge that will also help my niece and nephews in their lives.
This study abroad experience will be something I have never encountered, and I look forward to the challenges that I will be faced with.

Blog 1:Goals

First and foremost I would have to say that I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to study abroad. I have always wanted to travel around the world and this to me is the first step in achieving my dream. This experience will be exceptional and different from my future plans because I will exposed to the educational system of another country, something I may not have the opportunity to do again. Some of the things I will do to maximize my experience are, more research on my host country, form relationships, and keep a positive attitude. It's hard to put into words exactly, but some days I wish I could start this journey immediately, and other days it's "well what if things don't go the way I imagined"? However, it is on those days where I remember that the highs and lows are all apart of this study abroad experience and that I should embrace it wholeheartedly.

Feelings and Goals on my Trip to Japan

The time has come.

I'm only one semester away from studying abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan.

To be honest, I'm kinda scared. Japan is a long ways away, 6,928 miles to be exact. I'll be halfway across the world from my family and friends. There's no Mom there to visit you if your sick or need free food. The language is no joke either. It's a complicated language that's no way Latin based. I can't guess like I can with French or Spanish. I've studied Japanese for two years at this point, but I'm nervous about speaking, especially to natives. Will they understand me? Can I really ask where the bathroom is located? In reality, they probably will be able to understand me, and I really can ask where the bathroom is located. It certainly helps that classes at Kansai Gaidai will be in English, but these fears are still present. After all, you never know what will happen until you get there.

But even with these fears, the feeling of excitement overwhelms it significantly. In a weird way, I'm actually excited to speak to Japanese people in Japanese, despite my fears. Living in a language surrounded by natives is the best way to learn that language. By being constantly surrounded by it, I'm hoping to improve my language skills. That's not all I'm excited about! I can't wait to immerse my self in culture. Japan's culture is so different, but yet so similar to the US. They have such a rich and deep history that the US, and even some parts of Europe, don't have. I want to explore it all.

So, what do I actually want to do while I'm in Japan? Or in other words, what are my goals?

Well, I mention a couple already. First, I want to expand my language skills. The best way to do that is to talk, talk, talk. Talk to as many people as I can. Write as often as I can in Japanese. Watch and listen to Japanese TV, movies, and music. Even though my classes will be in English, I can not use it as a crutch. If I do, I'll severely hinder my learning skills. It does help that I will be taking a Japanese langue course. Second, I want to explore and observe the Japanese culture. How do college students differ? How are they similar? Why are the differences there? I may not be able to fully get the answers, but at least I'll be a step closer since I'm physically there. I also have to realize that I'm only there for a semester. Not only that, my classes will begin before Japanese students and end before them. I won't be able to get a fully immersive experience, but it's one step closer than where I was before. And thirdly, I want to try some authentic ramen. I'm done with the 75 cent stuff. It doesn't even have to be ramen. I want to try real, authentic Japanese food.

Since I'll only be in Japan for a few months, I want to make sure I get the maximum experience possible. To do that, I'll make friends while I'm there. Both international and local friends can help me with my language skills and explore the area. I mean, it's going to be fun, so why not share with friends? Another way is to try as many things as I can and able to do. It might be new and different, but I should do these things while I can. For an example, go to a festival, or even to Tokyo. Even if I'm by myself, I should do those type of things. A finally way, though definitely not the last, is to do as well in my studies as I can. I'm there to learn. My classes focus on culture and sociological theories. As an International Studies with an Asian track major, studying Asian culture classes while in Japan is an opportunity that I don't want to miss. While I will have fun and plenty of adventures, I mustn't forget that I'm there to learn.

All in all, I'm fearfully excited about this trip. It'll be a range of emotions all at once, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Shane Byerley: Study Abroad Plans and Goals.

A semester of studying abroad is a requirement by both of my majors; I am double-majoring in Spanish Language and Internacional Business. I have applied to the Universities of Málaga, Almería, Murcia and Vigo Spain with the ISEP exchange program. I have also traveled to Spain twice before, including the cities of Málaga and Almería. The cities were interesting and had an amazing Mediterranean climate. Both Málaga and Almería are historic cities, having been colonized by both the Romans and Arab-the two empires that left their influence in South Spain. I long to return to Andalucía.
Some of my goals for study abroad are developing my fluency in Spanish and further gaining knowledge of Spanish culture, in particular southern Spanish culture. I am already fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish; however, given that Spanish was not my mother language, I could always use some practice.
Also, I have attempted to apply to a second semester abroad, to the university FAAP in São Paulo Brazil. I would like to eventually learn Portuguese.
Una semestre de estudiar en el extranjero es un requisito para los dos de mis títulos universitarios; estudio un doble-titulación en español y negocios internacionales. Les he enviado mi ficha de inscripción a las universidades españoles de Málaga, Almería, Murcia, y Vigo con el programa de intercambio estudiantil de ISEP. La verdad es ya he recorrido dos veces a España, incluyendo las ciudades de Málaga y Murcia Andalucía. A mí me interesaron las ciudades antiguas de Málaga y Almería, particularmente a causa de su clima mediterráneo e historia de colonización árabe y romana. Deseo que me pueda volver a Andalucía, o a cualquier ciudad española que me aceptaría.
Una de las metas mías serían el desarrollo de mi fluidez de español y mi concientización de cultura española, enfocando en la región sureña de españa llamada Andalucía. Ya puedo hablar, escribir, leer español pero es que español no fue mi lengua materna. Por tanto, siempre pudiera tratar de practicarlo.
También, yo acabé de hacer una aplicación para ingresarme en la universidad de FAAP en San Pablo Barsil para el semestre de otoño 2017.