Submitted by Makaela Purcell on the 2018 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
When I started out this so called journey through college, I never imagined myself studying abroad. As my third study abroad program comes to an end, I find it once again hard to fathom the month of experiences and adventures I just had. It went by in the blink of an eye and I find myself rather nostalgic as I know this will be the last study abroad program I do through the University of Delaware.
My time in Salamanca was well spent. I had the opportunity to meet friends not only from America, but from all over the world who I will stay in touch with. Four weeks ago when I arrived in Spain, I was unsure of what to expect. Having studied in Spain before, I knew what the country was like, but this time I was traveling to a new city with new people and new opportunities. As it turns out, I found some of my best friends on this program. My favorite part of this experience was going to school with people not from the University of Delaware. This program is so unique because the first day, you are put into a room with your program and about fifty others from different programs. You are given thirty minutes to take a placement exam. Later that same day, your scores are released so that the next day you can report to the class best suited for your language skill level.
On Tuesday, when I walked into class, I was unsure of what to expect. I did not know anyone in my class and if you know me, you know I’m as nervous as can be on a daily basis, so needless to say I was freaking out. I walked into a room of faces that appeared to be feeling the same way that I was: nervous, excited and uneasy. By the end of class that day, I was comfortable in class and I was looking forward to spending the next four weeks in class. We were required to take two classes through the University of Salamanca: one language/grammar class and one class of your choice, for which I chose a business class. Additionally, everyone on my program took a literature class with the professor from UD that brought us to Salamanca.
The biggest culture shock that I experienced in my first few days in Spain was honestly just not speaking English. We stayed with host families who did not speak a lick of English so in order to communicate we had to speak in Spanish. Looking back now and after having made friends who lived in the residence halls, living with a host family helped my Spanish skills immensely. Since they did not speak English, we had to use Spanish to talk to them and they would help us by correcting our mistakes. It was also helpful to talk to native speakers because I feel that my ear for the language has improved as well. I understand a lot more than I can speak, but the amount that I can understand has also grown. I am thankful for all the opportunities that this program has given me and will continue to give me as I continue with my time here in Spain.
