Marketing Major
Study Abroad: San Sebastián, Spain
Do you have a favorite class that you are taking? Why?
My favorite class abroad has to be Management Skills Development. During the very first day of class, the professor went around the room asking each person their name and nationality. In total, the class was comprised of 15 different nationalities! It was so unique to be learning the same subjects with people come from all different backgrounds and places all with their own unique cultures! The first half of the class was focused on public speaking with numerous activities and projects designed to help us become more confident and effective communicators. The second half was all about negotiation. The professor was very experienced and taught classes all over the world including at Columbia University. The final project she designed was a value creation project. The professor gave each group (4 members in each) a 1 Euro bill. She then gave us a month to trade this euro for something with a higher value and the value was then decided by the class on the final day. This creative project allowed us to all work together and practice our negotiation skills in a non-formal way out in the city of San Sebastián. This project and class no doubt taught me some of the most memorable skills ever!
What do you like about your program/university?
My favorite part of the University of Deusto is that you are immersed in a local University with an overwhelming majority of local students. This makes for enriching experiences and conversations with people are not just from the United States. It forces you to step out of your comfort zone and converse in Spanish which is very rewarding. All of the local students I have met are so welcoming and really want to make you feel comfortable at their University. They also have excellent tips and recommendations on things to do in San Sebastián!
What has been your favorite place that you visited so far or favorite part about your city? Why?
Mallorca! In my program, there are a total of 8 SCU students including me. After spending the first couple weeks in San Sebastián, we were ready to travel. We booked a last minute flight to Mallorca, a Spanish Island off the Eastern Coast and had the best time getting to know each other better. We rented a boat and our local Spanish guide took us to his favorite spots to snorkel, cliff jump, and explore caves. The water was the clearest I had ever seen and I loved getting to experience “the Hawaii of Europe!” Walking throughout the city of Palma in was so beautiful and had great architecture, beautiful water views and the local Spaniards were very inclusive of 8 Americans. This first trip was definitely one of the most memorable!
What advice would you give to the 2024 abroad students?
My very first advice is do it! Once you sign up and commit to going, you will have no regrets. The people you meet are some of the coolest and most genuine people you’ll ever know! It really is one of the most rewarding and influential times of your life and you learn so much about yourself. Say yes to as many things as you can and take risks with new people and experiences. Also, as much as you might want to travel, some of the most fun you’ll have is exploring the city that you chose. Don’t feel pressure to leave every weekend just because others are traveling!