By NICHOLAS NEGRON
Opinion Editor
In the spring 2016 semester, three Saint Rose students chose to take their educational journies oversees. Kevin Wood ’18, is studying at Regents Univeristy London, in the UK. Diana Aponte ’17, is studying at Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, in Madrid. Mariah Pasinski ’17, is studying at Universidad de Sevilla, in Sevilla. These three students responded to questions regarding their experiences thus far, quickly and with excitement. Below is what they have to say.
Q: Who was the last person/people you saw before leaving? What were your last words to them or their words to you?
Kevin: The last two people I saw before I crossed through the security scanner into the terminal was my parents. I looked back as I saw them smiling and sending me kisses goodbye. Their last words were, “You don’t really want to leave, do you? Text us when you can, when you get to school, love you!”
Diana: My parents. I don’t quite remember specifically what was said last. But there was definitely a long string of advice (Don’t talk to strangers, don’t go out alone, watch your drink, etc.). Then when I got to the airport in Boston, my mom called again with even more advice.
Mariah: The last people I saw before leaving were my parents at the Syracuse Hancock Airport. The last time I saw them in person was walking to my gate as they waved goodbye on the other side of the TSA agents. I can’t remember what the exact words were, but they were probably something like, “Call us when you get to Philly,” and “We love you!”
Q: What thoughts ran through your head on the plane flight?
Kevin: I definitely had some mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement! I’ve traveled a lot before, but living in a new country gave me some new obstacles I was curious and worried about.
Diana: “Is this real life? This is the last time I’ll be in the United States until June. What if I don’t like it and I’m stuck there? What if I don’t make friends? And definitely, oh my God, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done! Relax, you’ll love it.” There was a lot of deep breathing.
Mariah: On the flight to Madrid, I think I was just in a state of not knowing at all what to really expect. I was a little worried about finding my way, but ultimately knew I would. Overall, I was just excited for all the new opportunities and experiences.
Q: Did you know or connect with anybody else who is studying abroad with you before leaving the country? Were you able to make friends easily?
Kevin: Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with anyone right before I left because I am the only one studying abroad in London from Saint Rose. Although I did have a friend from high school who goes to SUNY Albany studying with me at Regents. This definitely helped making friends a lot easier.
Diana: I went alone. Some basic Facebook stalking was all I knew about the people I was going with. I didn’t talk to anyone beforehand. I now have a pretty solid group of friends here. I live in a dorm, as opposed to a homestay option, that many people in my program are doing.
So there are both international and Spanish students here. It was pretty easy to meet people. It’s basically freshman year all over again, everyone is super nice because we all have to make friends fast.
Mariah: I didn’t know anyone in this program in Sevilla, Spain before I left. However, I did connect with a few people in the program, including two people that I was able to get a hotel with after our planes arrived the night before the program started.
Q: How is your curriculum?
Kevin: The curriculum so far is not too strenuous. The professors are all really great though and definitely portray a liking of who and what they’re teaching! The course work is what I am waiting on to pile up soon though!
Diana: I’m doing a month of intensive Spanish. So the first month of school I’m only taking Spanish language and culture for four hours a day, five days a week. I’ve only been here a week and I already feel I’ve learned so much. After this month, I take four classes for the regular semester. Three Spanish and one to fulfill my art requirement.
Mariah: I really enjoy my curriculum! During this semester we have two periods of classes. The first, which I am in right now is called the intensive period and is ending soon. I have three classes during this period: Advanced Spanish Grammar and Expression I, a class called Practicum: Encuesta where we get to practice our Spanish speaking a lot, learn about culture in Spain, and learn more about our host family, and Sevillanos. We ask and share a series of five “questionarios” in that class. My third class this period is a Flamenco class where we learn how to dance Flamenco. During the continuación periodo, I believe I will have other culture classes like anthropology of Spain and literature classes among others to help me grow as a Spanish speaker and learner. Everything is taught in Spanish.
Q: Any early favorite moments of being abroad?
Kevin: Definitely the first step I took out of Paddington Station. I looked the wrong way and almost got hit by a taxi. Not making anything short of a scene and drew some attention to fellow Regents students who I became really close with instantly!
Diana: It was a really quick moment, but just yesterday an older woman passed by me as I was leaving the Metro and asked me for directions, in Spanish of course. And not only did I understand perfectly what she asked but I knew the answer. I responded and gave her directions. It was then that it sunk in that I live in Spain and I speak Spanish.
Mariah: In just the two short weeks I have been here, there have already been a few small trips including one to the Carnavales in Cádiz which was great to experience, and a trip to Aracena which is a town where there is these famous and spectacular caves and an amazing exterior to a castle. And of course anytime you get to spend dancing and with friends is always a favorite moment, so the discotecas here have definitely been great.
Q: What are you most nervous about?
Kevin: I’m really nervous about budgeting! I know it’s super boring, but London is extremely expensive! It makes NYC look like a Dollar General. But other than that, probably being happy with making a lot of friends is one thing I’m worried about.
Diana: I was most nervous I wouldn’t have friends. It’s nerve-racking because I have all of these plans to go out and travel, but if I have nobody to go with, it’s more stressful and lonely. Nobody could take my picture. I’d have to whip out the selfie stick and get pegged as a tourist. My parents would be a nervous wreck. I could end up in the next “Taken” movie. But like I said, I made friends and I already have plans to travel in a group. I may end up doing some solo traveling later, but I think after this first trip I’ll feel more confident doing that.
Mariah: I am probably most nervous about finding my way to different places, mainly to different countries, by myself, hopefully at least most of the time with one other person. We have many trips with our program, but I need to continue getting better at independent travel around Europe and beyond. In just two weeks though, I know my way around different places in Sevilla much better and am a better navigator than when I arrived, which I’m proud of. Even though I’ll always sometimes be asking the same navigation questions to several different people, which is all part of traveling and the fun of it all, poco a poco, I am learning more and more and always becoming a more experienced traveler.
Q: If you could write a few words to yourself and have it mailed to you at the end of your experience, what would those words be?
Kevin: It would be to take the advice from many who have said, Don’t expect the experience to be something so particular because it’s more than likely not going to be like that. Remember to not stress, go with the flow of things, have fun, and never get caught up on ignorant and unimportant people (boys) back home that’ll bring down your experience in London. Be adventurous and spontaneous. Work your ass off with networking and opening doors for yourself! Learn a new language! Most importantly, when you’re on your way back to the States, take what you’ve accomplished and put it to work back home! Achieve your dreams and goals and never let people make you feel less of yourself!
Diana: You better speak Spanish by now.
Mariah: The world is a beautiful and wonderful book and I can’t wait to continue to explore every single part of it!
After speaking with Kevin, Diana and Mariah, all three seem to have equal amounts of eagerness, anxiety and exhilaration for the experiences yet to come; and nothing but appreciation for the memories made thus far.
