by Lindsay Douglass | Anthropology | Class of 2023
Academic Term of Essay Subject: Fall Semester 2021
Last year, I took a leap of faith and decided to not only study abroad one semester in Spain but to commit to stay another semester to participate in a full-time internship at an NGO focused on helping refugees and immigrants integrate smoothly into society through education, employment, and community building.
What was originally going to be four months filled with tapas, flamenco and traveling quickly became something so much deeper and impactful. Although I originally thought I was going abroad to have fun and take advantage of a great academic program, I ended up spending my eleven months there growing as a person, worker, and global citizen. Overall, this was one of the most impactful experiences of my life and has shaped me in a way I never expected.
During my time with Fundación Sevilla Acoge, I learned what it really means to work in the NGO field and the passion I have for this type of work has grown even more. In addition, I have had the opportunity to work with people from all over the world who speak a plethora of languages and share a list of countless experiences. Nasma from Morocco taught me basic phrases in Arabic so I could greet our participants. Katterina from Chile shared with me what it has been like to be a Latina in Spain working and getting used to the new culture. Rosi from Brazil opened her home so that we could all rest after work and enjoy the company of our coworkers. And Angela from Seville always provided us with a native perspective in the midst of all the diversity around us.
During my time, I worked in a position similar to a community mediator or social worker which allowed me to distinguish whether I enjoy this type of work and want to pursue it as my career. In the end, my answer is a firm yes.
However, I also went through some bad times during my stay that made me grow as a person. I had to learn to live alone in a foreign country speaking only Spanish and knowing no one. Little by little, I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone so I could meet new people and enjoy the total immersion I was experiencing. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, I met some of my closest friends and got to eat, travel, dance, and laugh with all of them.
It is important to note that, although I grew up around Spanish, I have never had to live 24/7 in it. So, after living eleven months with little to no English, I’m sure my language skills have only improved– even if my thick Spanish accent makes my Ecuadorian grandmother cringe. Funnily enough, words I had never heard before now occupy my daily slang; the region of Andalusia has its own way of speaking that has even rubbed off on me a little bit. I’m going to have to make an effort in the States to pronounce all the words instead of dropping the last syllable and to avoid the confusion of using colloquialisms like “aro” and “mi arma” that others don’t understand.
Overall, after coming back to the States for my senior year, I am already looking forward to returning to Spain and continuing with the work I have left. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and challenging myself to fully immerse myself in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was the best decision I could have ever made. Even though my study abroad experience looks very different from the ones that are usually marketed to students, I would not have it any other way and hope others can learn from my experience that study abroad really is what you make it to be. And who knows. Maybe it’ll change your life like it changed mine.