1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

My STEP Signature Project was studying Spanish abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain for six weeks. The main activities my STEP Signature Project entailed were going to Spanish classes 5 days a week, living with a host family and practicing my speaking skills, exploring Salamanca and other cities in Spain, etc.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

Many things change during my time abroad, including myself, my assumptions, and my view of the world. The thing that changed about me personally the most was my ability to speak and understand the Spanish language better. I had to speak at least 7 hours a day in Spanish to my teachers and host mom which forced me to fully immerse myself in the language. Living in Spain also changed my assumptions about the people and country. I used to think they just liked to dance and party a lot, but it’s so much more to them. They do it to connect with other people and have fun. My view of the world also changed. For example, living in another country made me realize how different other cultures are from my own and how much time it takes to truly adjust.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

Many events, interactions, relationships, and activities during my STEP Signature Project led to changes in myself, my assumptions, and my view of the world that affected me in many ways. The main events I experienced that affected me were my weekend trips to other cities in Spain and Portugal. I was able to experience so many different regions of Spain which allowed me to get a broader idea of the country. Another event that really affected me was just going to my classes every day. Talking with the teachers and with students from other countries gave me so much more insight on worldly issues.

One of the relationships that changed me the most was my relationship with my host mom. Even though she joked with me and poked fun, I learned so much about Spanish/Spain from her that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise in school or on my own. I owe her my thanks for that. Other interactions that changed me was just small talk with the waiters, cashiers, tour guides, etc. in Spain. By talking with them, I was able to practice my Spanish outside of a classroom setting which helped me feel more confident. Although my understanding of them wasn’t always perfect, it’s important to make mistakes so you can learn from them.

Finally, there were many activities, mainly in Salamanca, that I did that changed and affected me in ways I didn’t know were possible. For example, taking a tour of the Cathedral, paddle boating on the river, learning Flamenco, visiting art museums, biking through town, taking a cooking class, and eating a lot of ice cream. I learned so much about Spain and Spanish culture this way that I really enjoyed, especially the cooking class. I plan on making what we learned at home. In conclusion, there were many events, interactions, relationships, and activities during my six weeks studying abroad in Spain that changed me and affected me in so many ways. It was once in a lifetime experience, and I will use what I learned there to help navigate my daily life.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

This change is very valuable to my life. First of all, academically, I am a Spanish minor, and my improvement in the Spanish language has also helped me to get the credit I need to graduate. Professionally, I also hope to one day get a job in a Spanish-speaking country. Now, I can speak and understand the language much better, which is necessary if I want to live in a country that speaks Spanish. Personally, I was able to experience and assimilate into another culture which is necessary if I want to travel a lot too. I also feel like this has made me more friendly, confident, and open to meeting new people. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and it has left a permanent impact on my life that I will remember and cherish forever.