The following was written by Izzy Song, who is on the UGA Equestrian team. She is studying Human Development & Family Science and had the opportunity to study abroad during the Summer of 2023.
This past summer, I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain for about 7 weeks while taking weekend excursions to Madrid, Barcelona, and Mallorca. I took two classes, Business Spanish and Exploring Cultures in Spanish. I thoroughly enjoyed the two classes, and my Spanish skills improved greatly. It was incredible to learn from professors who are native Spanish speakers, and who are so passionate about what they teach. I learned so much about the history of Spain, the
traditional food of Valencia, and the many different holidays celebrated by the local population.
My favorite activity was the Paella-making class, where we learned about the unique ingredients and cooking strategies used when preparing Valencia’s most famous dish. Spain is an indescribably beautiful country with a culture like no other, and it was so interesting to be able to learn about the Spanish way of life. At first, I was hesitant to commit to the study abroad program, but I am so glad I did. I made so many lifelong friends and memories, and I would go back right now if I could. I definitely encourage anyone interested in studying abroad to take a risk, and go for it. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
