In my studies this term, I have come across an unexpected realization which directly relates to my future career plans. At University of Rochester, my home institution, I am a double major in History and Molecular Genetics. I started off my time abroad in London, studying history with an amazing IES Abroad professor and one other student from my Oxford program (as per the Oxford tutorial style of learning which encourages independent study).

My man Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

My classes are over. I just took my last two finals. Now all there is to do is pack and enjoy my last day and a half in this city. The past four months have flown by. Study abroad is something I’ve dreamt of and imagined since I was touring universities in the US. And now it’s over?

One of my favorite things about studying abroad- and one of the things I’ll miss most after I leave- is speaking Spanish every day. Whether I am at IES Abroad, in class at Católica, at my internship, traveling, at home or just walking around Quito I am constantly hearing, speaking and writing in Spanish. It’s not only the fact that I get to improve my fluency in the language, but what is also important to me is that I am exposed to a different perspective of life.

Mexico versus Netherlands soccer game on November 12
After the the 2014 World Cup match of Mexico versus Holland in June, there was a lot of controversy about the penalty that was called out two minutes over time that resulted in a goal and the victory of Holland. On Wednesday November 12, I attended the friendly game awaited by all fans. According to MLS Soccer,

A couple of weeks ago, I met a girl from Denmark at a hostel in Spain. As most conversations between travelers begin, we got talking about language. We compared the stark difference between growing up in the United States versus Europe. With the exception of the minority who are exposed to more than one language in the US, most Americans only speak English, and why not?

I’ve already touched on the subject of my personal development in a couple of my previous blog posts; however, I feel that, being perhaps the chief benefit from studying abroad, it deserves its own post for International Education Week.