Studying aboard enlarges students' world

Students in the program attend a full load of classes just as they would at the UA's main campus, but there is a slight twist - asking a question or two in English is not an option.

Students who participate in the program are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours, said Susan Larson, resident director and a doctoral candidate in Spanish

During the semester, students can travel across the country and Europe. A four-day school week makes traveling easier.

Some students in the program said they chose to spend a semester abroad to learn the language and aspects of the Spanish culture not taught in a classroom.

"Learning from a textbook is always different than learning in person," said Bob Dolan, a junior majoring in political science and Spanish. "I felt it (studying in Spain) was the only way I would improve my Spanish to the point were I could talk to native speakers."

Students in the program can learn about Spanish culture by immersing themselves in daily Spanish-university activities. They also learn the culture first hand by living with a native Spanish family.

"With the family alone I have learned how differently they (the Spanish) do things," said Yvonne Lopez, a Latin American studies senior.

"I wouldn't learn anything like that in the states," said Sam Partain, a classics and Spanish studies junior.

Partain said the best part to traveling abroad is forcing himself to rely on his second-language knowledge. By being forced to speak Spanish to survive, his language skills have grown.

Larson said UA students at the University of Alcalá de Henares are learning more than just language basics.

"It (studying abroad) reminds you of two things at the same time - how big the world is and how smaller your little environment is at home," she said.

Students like Marc Dembowski, an education junior, said Spain's history and European location was appealing.

"You can't see something 2,000 years old in Cuba," Dembowski said, regarding sites he's seen in Spain and the rest of Europe.

While it may seem like students live the good life in Spain - taking two-hour siestas, a mid-afternoon break for lunch and a quick nap - and attending class two days a week, it is often a lot to deal with 7,000 miles from home.

Some students said home sickness and the language barrier are sometimes difficult to get used to.

"Tucson seems a lot more exciting when your not there," said Marisa Bernal, a history and Spanish studies senior.

"When I first got here I was kind of stubborn and was not going to speak Spanish," said Ainslie Shaw, a junior majoring in Spanish. "But then one day I got so frustrated because I could not express myself that I decided I was going to have to learn in order to survive."

But most students, after about one month in Spain, said the study abroad trip has been a worthwhile experience.

"It's been an eye-opening and mind altering experience," said Rebecca Baltos, a psychology senior.

Alicia A. Caldwell is a UA communication senior who is studying at the University of Alcalá de Henares this semester.