I just finished studying at the University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain for a semester. Most students on my study abroad program, in my year and others, take classes specially designed for international students, in English or in Spanish with a learner-friendly atmosphere. To maximize my learning, I decided to try taking a couple of classes directly enrolled at the university, with Spanish students. I took one class about translation between English and Spanish, and another about conversational interpretation between the two languages.

One of the hardest things in the beginning of the semester was getting used to the organization of the classes. They have different software that is somewhat similar to Canvas but frustratingly different. I missed a lot of due dates before I made it along the learning curve with how to turn things in. In the interpretation class, I was put with students who had studied some interpretation before, and so I felt a little behind when the other students already knew how to take notes in the style the professor wanted, and when they weren’t intimidated by trying to memorize a minute of dialogue at a time.

However, taking classes directly with Spanish students was a worthwhile experience. I met people who I never would have met otherwise. My Spanish improved, and by the nature of the classes I took, so did my ability to use Spanish and English together in the same setting.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: ALI Abroad: University of Alicante