Study Abroad Application

My  España Study Abroad Application is due October 1st and SURPRISE I'm just starting it now. I have about a week to get it all done. The application is relatively simple and requires all the usual medical forms/copies of passports, in addition to two letters of recommendation, and answering the above 5 questions! I'll be sure to include another post of my answers or add them onto this one once I finish. Hopefully my references don't mention my continuous habit of procrastination in their letters. I'll pray about that...later. 

I've met a few people from Winona State who will be in Granada at the same time that I will be there, its reassuring to know that even though they aren't close friends we're all coming from a similar Spanish background. I'm excited to meet even more people at the acceptance meeting to see who else is going! Its crazy how fast this will all be happening once I get accepted into the program, Spain is only 101 days away! 

Wish me luck and swiftness in completing my application :)

Update: Rough draft of the answers to the above questions

1. How did you develop and interest in Spain and what factors prompted you to choose this program?

My interest in the Spanish language began when I was little and visited my Grandparents in Texas where we went over the border to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. Even at a young age of five the colors, flowers, language and difference in skin and hair color between myself and the other children mesmerized me. My mom tells me the children always wanted to play with Ellen, my sister, and I because they too were fascinated with our blonde hair and green eyes. As I got older and gained a better understanding of the Spanish language and the culture I decided that I wanted to be a bigger part of it than just an observer. My interest in Spain and the Spanish Culture has been developing for a long time.

2. Describe your international experience if applicable. How have these or other experiences prepared you for the challenge of adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle?

This past summer I spent three weeks in Italy traveling, visiting family, and exploring the country.  Beginning with the feelings of exhaustion brought on by jet lag mixed in with the excitement of a new country I was overwhelmed. I found that after a few days I had caught up on my sleep and was beginning to adjust to the difference in meal times/night life/sleep patterns.  The important lesson is to keep on pushing through it, because at some point in the trip I realized I could order food and water on my own in Italian, as well as ask for basic directions. I would not have dreamed of being able to do this at the beginning of the trip. Every single thing that has been out of my comfort zone has initially been scary and intimidating, but there is no way for me to expand my limits if I do not push them past my comfort zone. Another thing being in Italy really opened my eyes to was how uncomfortable it could be at times to be in a country where English is not the primary language, it gave me a sense of understanding for the people who come to the United States and are trying to process the culture, all while learning to speak the language. Spending time in a different country gave me a greater understanding of the US upon my arrival home. I am thrilled to be able to return to Europe and become even more immersed in the culture, the caring people, and the delicious food. Most importantly, I look forward to returning to Europe so that I can become a more global citizen and gain new perspectives.

3. Describe your personality as candidly as possible, including special interests and or hobbies.

I’m incredibly outgoing and personable, I love to meet new people and hear their backgrounds. I find that people I think I wont have anything in common with end up sharing a very quirky and special interest of my own. I consider myself a strong leader and like to make decisions, and take the lead in group projects. This being said I remain respectful and interested in opposing opinions and ideas on how things should be done.

As far as special interests and hobbies, from growing up on the bay of Green bay and having a cabin on a lake in northern Wisconsin I am outdoorsy.  I love to be on the water whether it be kayaking out a few points over, paddle boarding with my friends when waters a little too rough to keep a steady balance, or jet skiing out to islands only accessible by water transport. Hiking is a passion of mine and Wisconsin has a lot of great opportunities to do it, one of my favorite places to go is Peninsula State Park just an hour and a half north of my home in Green Bay. Peninsula State has a variety of different trails, and every time I get the opportunity I try and choose one I haven’t explored before. Winona State allows me to continue my passion for the outdoors with the lake lodge and the numerous trails in Winona the surrounding areas.

4. This program emphasizes experimental learning. Students are expected to reflect on learning experiences in regard to academic and personal insights and to keep a journal. How do you see yourself functioning in this kind of learning environment? Explain.

There is a quote from David Rockefeller, an American banker and philanthropist, that I understood much better after I returned from Italy, he says “I am a passionate traveler, and from the time I was a child, travel formed me as much as my formal education.” Only so much teaching can be done in the classroom, I feel like I am at the point where more grammar classes and vocabulary in an American setting would be unhelpful. What I need to have is complete and total immersion into the culture I want to understand. Memorizing words on a list and placing them into fill in the blank sentences won’t serve me as well as listening to people on the street and in the markets speak Spanish, and listening to the frequent phrases and slang. Another part of learning a language is to develop confidence in your knowledge of it. With speaking Spanish one hour a week, Monday through Thursday, before returning to 23 more hours of an English-speaking world it is difficult to absorb and practice the language. I expect myself to thrive in this new environment because my learning style is very visual and hands on, having all day experiences will only improve my grasp.

5. What do you expect to get from this experience, what are your goals?

I expect this experience to help me with personal growth, to allow me to experience the academic system in a different country, to work on my fluency in another language, and to improve my network. I hope to come back, just as I did from Italy, with a greater understanding and more colored perspective of what life is like outside of and inside of the US.