During the Spring of 2025, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Toledo, Spain, in the Castilla-La Mancha region. Not only was it my first trip outside the United States, but I also attended the University of Minnesota’s Cross-Cultural Health program where I was the only Clemson student and knew none of the other students. With that in mind, I had no idea what to expect from my semester abroad, beyond the hope to improve my Spanish skills. I didn’t anticipate that the program would lead me to form friendships with a wide variety of people or that one semester abroad would vastly change my immediate career goals after graduation.

 

Considering I hadn’t left the United States before moving to Toledo, from the moment I stepped off that plane, every experience was as exciting as it was overwhelming. A huge part of my study abroad experience was following a personal motto: action over anxiety. Whether that meant navigating the Madrid metro or eating new cuisine, rather than letting my fear of mistakes hold me back, I embraced every adventure as an opportunity to learn and grow. I happily and clumsily learned flamenco and, with my cohort, cheered on the local soccer team. I learned to plan my errands around the siesta, a daily pause in business hours, and to adjust my lifestyle to the relaxed pace of life I experienced in Spain. Although intimidating at first, these cultural pursuits profoundly changed my lifestyle. Spain showed me how to slow down and be present, but most of all, it made me realize my desire for a career that prioritizes community just as much as productivity.

 

My academics were an area where I had “growing pains” adjusting to my professors' expectations, none more so than in my Golden Age of Spanish Theatre course. Not only was the content outside my comfort zone, but I had to quickly develop my listening skills and adapt to Spanish writing styles. Through writing analytical essays that encouraged personal engagement with the text and participating in fast-paced in-class discussions, the course significantly strengthened my grasp of Spanish. I also enjoyed the excursions organized through my classes, including visits to various health facilities for my Global Health course and a trip to Madrid to see a performance of Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes. Overall, my experience adapting to Spanish academia and the different approach to coursework was eye-opening, deepening my understanding of Spanish culture, history, and language. 

 

A pivotal part of my journey in Toledo was my internship with the Spanish Red Cross. As a Health Outreach Intern, I handled a variety of Red Cross functions, including leading healthcare workshops for the elderly, supporting after-school youth programs, and teaching Spanish to refugees in biweekly classes. One challenge I faced was adapting to my coworkers' regional accents. Although I’ve taken formal Spanish coursework, that is very different from hearing Spanish where the speaker drops consonants and blends words together. This was something I partially remedied by joining a Spanish Phonetics course that delved into regional dialects. My immersion experience at the Spanish Red Cross taught me to be resilient in my listening skills and inspired my current postgraduate plans.

 

One of my most meaningful experiences was teaching Spanish to a student named Gloria. Gloria had recently arrived from Mali, and she would often become frustrated or discouraged during our Red Cross classes. One day, when we were waiting at the bus stop, she told me that she wasn’t just learning Spanish, but she was learning to read and write in any language for the first time. Having not gone to school since she was very young, once she mastered Spanish, Gloria planned to attend a vocational training school. Her story deeply impacted me by showing how language education becomes a vehicle for better job opportunities and community integration. Gloria also illuminated the challenges that ESOL learners face, and our connection inspired me to pursue a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) scholarship. Now, as a semifinalist, I hope to return to Spain for the 2026-2027 school year to continue empowering learners like Gloria.

 

Looking to the future, this study abroad experience has fundamentally shaped my aspirations. Regardless of the career I ultimately choose, I plan to continue my volunteer work as an ESOL teacher. The resilience I built, the curiosity I cultivated, and the cultural adaptability I developed will stay with me from my semester abroad. Toledo didn’t just introduce me to a new country; it gave me the courage to dream bigger, interact across cultures, and remain adaptable in many facets of my life.