WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS WHILE ABROAD, AND WHY?
I enjoyed both of my classes equally. Even though both were different focuses, I learned from the material presented and created a bond with my professors. My first course focused on food culture. The class was exposed to tastings and the history behind traditional Spanish foods. The second course focused on culture and history, which helped me understand different perspectives in a culture. I would say my second course helped me grow more as a person, as we were exposed to how cultures are different. Learning about cultural differences helped me recognize that my perception of a situation is limited. Every culture has traditions or characteristics that are unique to it. Meaning that if one culture is different, it does not mean there is a right or wrong way to approach a situation; there are just different ideas, focuses, and approaches we create individually.

HOW DID YOU ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHILE ABROAD?
While I was abroad, I walked to school every day. We encountered locals throughout our walks and greeted those we began to recognize. As a part of a project for a course, I interviewed a local member to ask about Spanish culture and their experience here. I decided to interview someone who worked at a cart that sold snacks, souvenirs, and more. Through my conversation with her, I learned so much. I learned that she was not born in Spain, but still participated in the culture through her husband's family. Sharing a conversation with a local helped me recognize how unique everyone's cultural experience is. Also, I felt connected as I was born in a country different from my culture. This assignment encouraged me to engage in the community through conversations and connections.