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Eager to step into the footsteps of a college student who studied abroad in Spain? We recently caught up with Ketina from the University of North Dakota, who studied abroad with AIFS Abroad in Salamanca during the spring semester.
Discover how Ketina’s study abroad experience with AIFS Abroad helped change her perspective on life and become more fluent in Spanish.
Deciding Where & When to Study Abroad
Choosing where and when to study abroad can be a difficult choice for many students (especially considering all the great options with AIFS Abroad!). Ketina wanted a Spanish-speaking country that wasn’t too touristy, so Salamanca was an ideal choice. Below, she explains her decision to study abroad during spring semester with an early start:
“I chose an early start so that I could ease into being in a new place. I selected spring because it fit better into my schedule. Spring in Spain is amazing! Experiencing Reyes Magos and Semana Santa is truly wonderful. I think tourism is higher in the spring, but that didn’t bother me.”
Academic Experience
Studying abroad gives you access to unique courses, new professors and classmates, and a fresh academic environment. Hear Ketina describe her academic experience in Salamanca:
“It was daunting at first, but I really came to love it in the end. All of the professors were very nice, and I learned a lot! I especially loved my GTA (graduate teaching assistant) for morfología (morphology). I loved morfología. It was hard. I definitely had to study a lot, but I loved the challenge. I loved how deep we got into the topic, and it really piqued my interest.”
Language Learning
While you are not required to speak or learn a second language to study abroad, many students like Ketina do. She explains her experience learning Spanish in Salamanca here:
“I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know until I got there. My Spanish improved immensely just by being immersed in the language all the time. I also took a lot of grammar courses that refined my Spanish skills. By the end, many people told me that my conversational Spanish was really good and that I sounded fluent. My advice is to put yourself out there. Spaniards love it when people speak Spanish, even if you’re a beginner. So, just embrace the struggle, and you’ll eventually reap the benefits.”
Budgeting & Finances Abroad
Finances are a major consideration for many study abroad students. Oftentimes, student financial aid packages can be used for study abroad programs if your university allows it—so make sure to check with your financial aid office! Also, AIFS Abroad offers a number of scholarships and grants that can reduce costs.
Additionally, you should consider extra costs while you’re abroad, such as traveling and shopping. Below, Ketina offers some tips for budgeting while abroad:
“My advice is to budget more than you think you will need. Being in Europe, you’ll want to visit all the nearby countries since they are so close together. Another piece of advice is not to forget about spring break. In my program, most of us didn’t have school on Fridays, which made it easy to travel frequently. By the time spring break arrived in April, we realized we didn’t have much money left.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad study abroad programs include housing. Ketina chose a homestay, and as she explains, she was glad she did:
“I lived in a homestay and IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER. No problems, everything was great. Theresa (my host mom) was a queen, such a great cook and a kind soul. A great way to dive into the language and culture while also making friends along the way.”
Making Friends Abroad
AIFS Abroad study abroad programs are excellent opportunities for making friends. Our program-sponsored trips and cultural and social activities bring everyone from the program together early on. Hear Ketina describe her experience making friends (and professional connections) abroad:
“I had some great friends, although I had a lot of alone time. For me, this [program] was really about being independent and exploring new places on my own, and I did a lot of that. However, I made many friends through my program, in my classes, and through my homestay… most of my friends were made through school. I made a friend at this coffee shop that I frequented, and we even exchanged Instas. I volunteered at this English school and built a great social and professional connection. I even got a letter of recommendation from it.”
Cultural Appreciation
Studying abroad is an experience of cultural immersion. Many students incorporate this new cultural perspective into their daily life when they return home, as Ketina did:
“I loved that I got to walk everywhere and be outside every day. I also appreciated the laid-back culture, where money isn’t everything and it’s important to take time for yourself and your family. When I [returned] to the U.S., I made sure to appreciate things in life more and to take more time for the things that I care about.”
Final Thoughts & Advice
Ketina offers the following advice to any future study abroad students:
“You are probably feeling a mix of emotions right now—excited to explore a new world but also scared to leave your friends and family behind. Trust me, I understand; I’ve been there. The one thing I want you to believe is that studying abroad is a transformative experience. You will meet many new people, make lasting friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime. You will challenge yourself in ways you never thought possible and get to experience so many new things and visit new places. Once you get past the initial moments of fear and homesickness, it will truly become an unforgettable experience.”
Are you a student ready to take the leap and study abroad like Ketina did in Salamanca with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study and intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
