Eleana Lemus, a fourth-year international relations major with a Spanish minor from Council Bluffs, Iowa, will study in Spain through the Iowa Hispanic Institute.

“Studying abroad is important because it provides me with the chance to immerse myself in a different culture while studying a language I care deeply about. It is such a great way of getting outside of my usual bubble of people and experiences.

I hope this experience will not only grant me the opportunity to upgrade my minor to a major but will also allow me the space to grow holistically as I develop my cultural awareness and knowledge. This experience relates back to my goal of working internationally and gives me the edge when looking for new opportunities. Especially as an international relations major, it allows me the chance to witness the world order from a different perspective as I grow my understanding of the relationships between different countries and blocs.”  

Sophia Stewart, a third-year human physiology major with a Spanish minor from Waukee, Iowa, will study in Spain through the Iowa Hispanic Institute.

“Studying abroad is important to me because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Most people never have the chance to travel for over a month, let alone live like a local while doing so. I am beyond excited to learn more about Spanish culture and soak in as much as possible while abroad. I chose to study abroad in Spain specifically to improve my Spanish language skills and to experience traveling in Europe for the first time.

This will be my first time traveling without my family, which I think will grant me a lot of independence. Additionally, this experience will allow me to experience what it is like to live in another country, which will help me understand the importance of different cultures on a new level. Lastly, I am hoping that I will walk away from this trip with a newfound confidence in my Spanish speaking skills that I will feel confident holding a conversation with others when I return home, and hopefully, in the future, I will be able to speak Spanish with Spanish-speaking patients.”