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Caroline Brunner is a Spanish major at 5X���� and recently studied abroad for a semester at the Universidad de Murcia in Spain. Caroline was interested in the Murcia program because of her major. 

“I have always wanted the opportunity to study abroad to experience a new culture, meet new people and places, and continue my education in a new environment. I especially wanted to immerse myself in Spanish, the language I study.”

Finding the Perfect Spanish Language Study Abroad Program

Caroline thinks the classes at Universidad de Murcia are perfect for students interested in learning the Spanish language. She said, 

“All of the professors are Spanish, and all of my classes were taught in Spanish, but if I had chosen to, certain classes offer bilingual instruction. In most classes, you will have some days that are lectures, and other days that are group/individual work.”

Caroline also gave some recommendations for students planning on studying on this program, saying that 

“I took a free two-week Spanish crash course that UM offers at the start of your semester. I recommend everyone to take this because firstly, the dialect and accent will be different than what you are used to, and secondly, because you will be taught about the culture, places, and events in Murcia.”

Personal Growth Through Study Abroad

Learning to become more confident is something that Caroline values about her study abroad experience. She stated that 

“My experience studying abroad made me more outgoing and confident in myself. I feel I have grown a lot personally; I am more open minded, educated, and understanding.”

Another thing Caroline took away from her experience was how to independently plan local and international travel. 

“One of my favorite things I learned was how to plan and execute affordable weekend trips! I was able to do a few trips with friends and see even more of the world.”

Food Recommendations For Study Abroad Students in Spain

Caroline also gave some of her personal food recommendations to future students, stating that 

“[In Spain] I recommend ordering tapas, croquetas de jamon more specifically, and a tinto de verano. Most people will also recommend you try paella.”

New Goals After Studying Abroad

Studying abroad in Spain was an experience that truly impacted Caroline’s future, 

“This experience has already impacted my future students, as I have decided to get the TEFL certification and will teach English in Spain!”

Advice for Future Study Abroad Students in Spain

Caroline has some advice for students considering this program: 

“You should talk to as many people as possible and take advantage of the opportunities in front of you! Try new things! Go to events you wouldn’t normally go to! Also, don’t feel afraid to communicate with your professors, advisors, and the international office if you are feeling stressed out.”

Interested in an experience like Caroline’s? Check out the Universidad de Murcia program here.