The experience of a lifetime!
I studied marketing at Michigan State University. When I graduated, I decided to learn a foreign language. I chose Spanish because I heard many people around the world speak Spanish, so I thought it would be useful.
A friend who was a student at Temple University in Philadelphia recommend that I study Spanish there. An important part of the course involved studying abroad. Well, at first I don’t really know which country to go to, but one day I saw a TV show about Panama. It looked like a great place to visit, so that’s where I want!
When I got to Panama, I was nervous because it was my first time abroad on my own. However, everyone at the college was really friendly and welcoming. On weekends, they took me and the other new students to visit a lot of fun places. They also organized activities so we could meet the local people. Our Spanish teacher was really good, too. I was only there three months, but I learned a lot.
Afterward, I went back to Philadelphia and immediately started investigating other study abroad options. This time I decided to go Mexico! After one month in Mexico City, I moved to Guadalajara. I really enjoyed my in both places, and felt my Spanish improved a lot. In Mexico City, I stayed with a host family as it was more economical. I worked part-time in a restaurant and saved some money, so when I moved to Guadalajara, my budget was bigger and I rented an apartment. My four months there were the best of all. We spoke Spanish all the time in class! I found it very hard at first and sometimes got annoyed because I couldn't understand everything. However it was a very effective way to learn and actually, by the time I left, I was fluent.
That's why, when I graduated a year later from Temple University with a degree in Spanish, I found a job in Spain. I started working for an advertising company in Madrid. Nowadays, I can't believe how lucky I am. Madrid is such an interesting and historic city to live in, and I really enjoy my job. What's more, shortly after settling have, I met a Spanish girl named Adela. Six months ago we got married!
For me, studying abroad was an amazing opportunity to socialize and become friends with people from all over the world. It gave me some fantastic insights into different cultures. But it also gave me a great job, a wife… in fact, a whole new life. I’d recommend the experience to everyone. Go on, give it a try!
Gavin J.lawson