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A guide to Dublin- Brendan Blaney

When I first found out I was studying abroad in Dublin, I was ecstatic. I thought to myself, “I’m Irish, so now I get to explore my roots.  I’m practically a local already! Sláinte! Finally, I’m returning to the Motherland!” Boy, I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Dublin, like any international city, has so many sights to see it can be pretty overwhelming.  By the end of the second week after talking with actual locals, I had a list longer than a freshman’s syllabus full of places to go and see in Dublin – not to mention everywhere outside of Dublin, too.  

Being three months into studying abroad here, I have simplified my giant list into some of the most impressive sights to see in Dublin from my experience.

1.      Find and enjoy the live entertainment – Dublin is filled with talent.  Whether an organized group with a venue or a street performer, there’s so much enjoyment to be had if you take a minute and enjoy the performance of others in such a unique city.  You can find traditional bands playing Irish folk music in a pub all the way to “Top 40 hits” on Grafton Street.  Regardless of your taste (I won’t judge too much,) find live music; it won’t be hard.

2.      Experience St. Patrick’s Day (if you can) – Celebrating the saint’s feast day in his country of heritage is truly a national delight. Hundreds of thousands of people fill the streets in good spirits, and it beats any parade I have ever seen in the States.

Crowds of people flood O’Connell Street on Saint Patrick’s Day

3.      Walk through Saint Stephen’s Greene – Yes, nature because what trip to Ireland doesn’t include seeing why they call it the “Emerald Isle”? This park is close to city centre and exists as a great respite for those longing for nature amidst the city landscape.

4.      Explore Phoenix Park – Best known as “Europe’s largest enclosed park in a capital city,” Phoenix Park has hundreds of acres to enjoy. Whether finding the beloved deer that inhabit the park or just enjoying the vast nature, this is definitely another natural sight to see.

You can imagine our excitement when my friend and I found the deer in Phoenix Park!

5.      See what the Temple Bar Area has to offer – I do not condone the consumption of alcohol, but the atmosphere of the Temple Bar district is absolutely electric.  There is always something going on, people walking about, and things to see.  It can sometimes appear like tourist central, but it’s definitely worth checking out.  Plus, they have more than just bars there!

While there’s tons more to see in Dublin, I think this gives you an idea of where to start.  Here’s to another great, final month abroad!

Brendan

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61 @marquetteglobal photos that will inspire you to travel: http://go.mu.edu/abroad-photos  

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You Are Marquette: Stephanie Graham

Name, age, year, hometown, college and major:

I’m Stephanie, 21, a senior (when did that happen?!) from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I’m in the College of Communication studying journalism, with a double major in Spanish.

What is life like in Madrid?

Life in Madrid is about three hours after the United States, and I’m not talking about time zones! Madrileños eat dinner at 9 and go out until the wee hours of the morning. It was a bit hard to get used to, but now I love it. The city is so safe and easy to get around, and there are an infinite number of things to do, day and night.

What is the coolest thing you’ve done while abroad?

Honestly, I think the coolest thing has been just living in the Spanish capital for five months, improving my language skills and adapting to the culture, and in the process learning not only about Spain, but also quite a bit about the rest of Europe. Being a tourist is cool, but the insight it’s given me about myself and the world around me is what’s going to stick long after I’ve gone home.

What has been your favorite class at Universidad Complutense de Madrid and why?

(Note: Marquette students in Madrid attend Universidad Complutense, but we take classes with other Americans and are taught by Spanish professors! We do have the option to take classes with Spanish students, but unfortunately their finals are throughout the month of June and actual dates are unknown until we arrive in Spain.)

My favorite class is La mujer en la literatura española (Women in Spanish Literature). It’s at 8:30 in the morning, which is rough (it’s not like Marquette where classes are only a five-minute walk away!), but the professor, Dr. Santiago López-Ríos, is really kind and passionate about feminism, and he’s taught us so much. And he’s buddies with Dr. Dale from Marquette!

Where else have you traveled this semester?

Within Spain, I’ve visited Segovia, Burgos, Barcelona, Toledo, Córdoba, Sevilla and Granada. Outside of Spain, I’ve traveled to Paris, Dublin, Galway, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence and Rome. And after I leave I’ll be spending a week in Germany.

What do you miss most about Marquette?

My friends! I’ve made some wonderful friends at Marquette over the past three years and being away from them for five months has been pretty tough, especially since many of them turned 21 while I’ve been gone.

What’s your best piece of advice for future students studying abroad?

Have an open mind! You must be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.

You can follow Stephanie's adventures abroad on Tumblr and find her on Twitter here. Interview by Jessie Bazan, Comm '14 

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¡National Marquette day 4000 miles away from home! - Annie Cairney

Number 1, find another Marquette friend so it feels just a little bit like you’re actually there

Here in Sevilla, Spain there are 2 other Marquette students with me. Before we all left in late January we had only met each other once, but by sheer dumb luck Haley (Communications ‘20) and I ended up renting rooms in the exact same house. We decided that if we couldn’t be at the Fiserv Forum with the rest of our classmates we had each other and were prepared to make the most of it here in the south of Spain,

Number 2, make sure you find a place to watch the game

A solid week before the game Haley was emailing back and forth with Marquette IT services to get a VPN set up. It got up and running just in time for the big game. Thank goodness it was an afternoon game so we were able to watch it at 8 pm Sevilla time. As a number of us gathered in the kitchen and huddled around Haley’s laptop we started to strap in for what was promised to be an amazing game

Number 3, make some cocktails that look like they belong on Pinterest

Spain is full of bright colors, especially at the produce markets. I went on a mission in the Mercado de Triana to find anything blue and gold to make a good cocktail with and in the end, I settled on blueberries and lemon. It took me almost half an hour to find a pint of blueberries, but I strongly believe I obtained the only carton in all of Triana that day. Lemons were easy to find and alcohol even easier. After a bit of trial and error and a little bit of help from our Irish bartender friend Amy, we had the most Pinterest worthy drinks you’ve ever seen.

Number 4, invite your new friends to join in on the Marquette experience

           Here in Sevilla, I’m living in the study abroad version of a sorority house. There are 17 girls here from all over the world, so we can have a house party without inviting any more guests. With our national Marquette day celebrations going on in the kitchen we attracted the attention of a few housemates and got to introduce them to the wonders of college sports.

Number 5, make some noise, cheer on the boys, and BEAT NOVA

           What a game. Haley and I cheered all night and stopped every now and then to explain what was going on to the other girls. It’s not that the rest of the world doesn’t have basketball, but it is not nearly as popular in places like Argentina where few of the girls in the house are from. As the clock wound down on one of the most anticipated games of the year Haley and I couldn’t sit down. I think we woke up half of the house as the final buzzer sounded and we cheered and applauded the fact that we #BEATNOVA in such a dramatic fashion.  

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Milan: My Temporary Home- Kate Holstein

I’ve been living in Milan, Italy for almost three months now and I’d like to say I’ve gotten to know it pretty well. It’s a city of workers, creatives, and dreamers. They all have purpose and know what they want to do, but they definitely take their time living a leisurely life (in typical Italian fashion).

Milan has a lot to offer. It’s a quintessential big city with pockets of Italian charm that remind you that you’re in Italy. It boasts a world-renowned Fashion Week and Design Week. It has one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. It is, without a doubt, an underrated and under-talked-about city that I’m so blessed I get the chance to call home.

So, as a semi-local (that feels like a stretch but we’re going with it), here are the gems that Milan has to offer:

1. The Canals—Great for soaking up the sun with friends or eating delicious pizzas that are bigger than your entire face.

2. Brera—the art district that makes you feel like you’re not in the city anymore. It boasts a quiet confidence that only an art district in the middle of arguably one of the artsiest cities in the world can.

3. Duomo—the aforementioned most beautiful church. Smack dab in the middle of the city rises the most intricately carved, GIANT church I think I’ve ever seen (and my giant, beautiful church count has grown exponentially since my time in Europe).

4. Fondazione Prada—a museum boasting huge modern art displays and a Wes Anderson designed café.

5. The Castle—Actually called Sforzesco Castle, it is a giant, you guessed it, castle in the middle of the city. Perfect for a midday stroll around the expansive gardens or exploration of the museums attached.

6. Coffee shops—There are also tiny gems of cafes everywhere you look. A delicious cappuccino or shot of espresso is at your fingertips around every corner you turn. The best part? You won’t spend more than €2.50 on a cappuccino. Milan also has one of five Starbucks Reserves in the world. It’s in an outrageously pretty building and you can see the coffee silos opened to reveal the plethora of beans. It’s unlike any Starbucks you’ve ever been to.

7. Pizza, pizza, pizza— There’s pizza everywhere you look. Some of my favorites include Woodstock 3, Gino Sorbillo’s, and Pizza AM.

8. And Last but not Least, The Last Supper—self-explanatory. Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic painting resides in Milan.

I could go on, but the real highlight of Milan is walking around and getting to know this awesome city. I’m incredibly blessed to be able to spend my time abroad here.

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More Than Just A Vacation- Nathan Baron

On Thursday January 24, I arrived in Milan Italy (Click for a travel vlog) to study abroad at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart for the next 4 months. Studying abroad had been an aspiration of mine ever since I entered Marquette University and it was finally happening. I knew virtually nothing about the city of Milan but I was ok with that, I pride myself in being an adventurous person and couldn’t wait to start a new chapter in my life. 

In hopes of familiarizing myself with my new neighborhood and getting some sightseeing in before school started, I arrived earlier than necessary. (Click for a tour of my apartment). My academic courses didn’t start till February 18 which left me with nearly 3 weeks to explore, meet new people, and simply get adjusted to life in Milan.

During my first 3 weeks, I treated my time here like a vacation. I ate out nearly every meal, went shopping for new clothes (Who doesn’t love European fashion?), went to clubs nearly every night, and went sightseeing on the daily. While these 3 weeks were definitely ones to remember, my bank account wasn’t very forgiving and the phone calls from my parents wondering why I were spending so much quickly got old. 

As much as I told myself I needed to go grocery shopping and start spending less, I found myself getting caught up in the fun of making new friends. Let’s be real, everyone’s gotta eat and when you’re in Italy, sharing a plate full of pasta or pizza with people you just met is the best way to bond! Looking back at it, I made my closest friends by splitting the bill for a delicious pizza or dancing the night away at a club on a Wednesday night.

Half way through the third week as the idea of classes started to cross my mind along with less free time, I finally came to my senses. I did some research and found the nearest grocery store, Esselunga. Chicken, spinach, broccoli, avocado, rice, fresh bread, pasta sauce, butter, olive oil, gelato... you get the point, I finally came to my senses and made a shopping list.

Looking back at my experience, I feel as if I may have stumbled upon a psychological phenomenon. Whatever you want to call this mindset, be aware and set yourself a budget. Have your fun but don’t let this habit prolong itself. Remember, your here for more than just a vacation, you’re here to stay.

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First Month in Australia - Aryana Barudin

What I told myself, going into this adventure called “Study Abroad,” was to not have any expectations for what this experience would entail. I pushed hard against any assumption but one thought lingered; That it would not be very different from America. Which is true, in a way, the language is the same, I can still get dominos… well honestly as I am writing this, that is about it. I was naïve to think that it would be pretty similar, which has made this experience all the more exciting.

           When I first came to Australia I landed in Sydney. A perfect cross bread of beach vibes and city atmosphere. The Taranga Zoo, Manly and Bondi Beach, every single restaurant is beautiful and fun. Not having my trusty Apple Maps was easily overcome by the kindness of the locals. Navigating by the train or tram has no negative social stigmas and is really encouraged everywhere. I was able to easily venture everywhere and figure out the network systems in the super fun, fast moving Sydney.

           Then I landed in my new home, Melbourne, coined to me by many locals “the hipster capital of the world.” No, not everyone here is walking around in overalls and curly mustaches; although I would be wrong to say there is not a much higher density of overalls and curly mustaches present here. I have not gone to a single restaurant that does not have at least three vegan and vegetarian options. There are three grocery stores within a 15 minute walk that are non-waste, fair trade, and local farmer supporters. Very well kept Parks litter and everyone in the community uses them as they are never empty. The streets are always filled with people that I can hear are from all over the world. The restaurants reflect this, which is a major plus for any big foodie like myself.

           I was worried I would not be able to make friends, but I should not have wasted energy worrying. ACU orientation was simple and so helpful at preparing me for my classes and introducing me to other abroad students. We all introduced ourselves to each other as a group then we were able to have a rooftop lunch together. The next day people met for an Amazing Race which took you around the city and forced you to become great mates with your team. Just like freshmen orientation, no one knows anyone, so everyone is eager to meet you. I met the coolest chic from Chicago, Demetria, and just got back from a spontaneous road trip together. The Great Ocean Road trip to the 12 Apostles is stunning and I highly recommend it!

The absolute most difficult obstacle, that I still need to figure out how to overcome, is walking down the streets. So far in each city and town I have gone to, I have not been able to distinguish which side of the sidewalk I should be walking on. Which results in a lot of bumping into people, or double side stepping, to remain in the persons way. I know this seems so absurdly small, and a very strange struggle. But a struggle it is. I usually am weaving all over place just always needing to stay alert. America, I really appreciate how people walk on the same side they drive on.

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Anything but Idle on the Emerald Isle – Brendan Blaney

My dad has always told me the phrase, “trying new things is like going to the gym.  The hardest part is putting on your shoes and getting yourself out the door.”  

Now that I’ve arrived in Ireland and spent a month here, I know my dad was right.  The hardest thing was boarding my plane and getting here. After a hefty flight, fighting off jetlag by staying up for 36 hours straight, moving into my new apartment, and getting oriented to campus at University College Dublin, I felt like I had made it to Ireland.  I could finally take a deep breath of relief.

I made it to my beautiful home for the next couple months

However, with that comes the crazy thought every student studying abroad thinks: “Okay, I’ve made it here.  Now what??” I didn’t know how to work the bus system; I needed to find groceries, kitchenware, and essentials for living; I only knew people from my nursing cohort in this massive campus/city.  The list goes on.  I guess my dad forgot to explain what to do once you got to “the gym.” All I can say is that I’m glad the people of Ireland speak English!

But just like every single person has assured me, I did, in fact, find my way.  While I never would have thought it during my first few days here, I feel very comfortable in this great city of Dublin after many trial-by-error experiences (like taking the wrong bus an hour the wrong way!)  

Exploring a forest with friends in Cong

Now I explore new local shops and parks as often as possible, have learned the bus routes (never making that mistake again,) made plenty of new friends, and even joined societies on campus.  Sometimes it takes pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone to really find what you’re looking for.

The best part about being comfortable in a new city comes the fun part – exploring!  The first weekend after arrival, some friends and I went to Howth, a beautiful seaside town just outside of Dublin, and took in all the coast had to offer – fish ‘n chips included.  

Great friends and great views in Howth

The following weekend I traveled to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher with the International Students Society from University College Dublin.  Not only were the scenic views incredible, the variety of people and cultures I met from students all around the world astounded me all the same.

The Cliffs of Moher

That’s not to say I haven’t explored my fair share of Dublin.  However, even with all that I feel like I have explored, I know that there’s so many more parks, pubs, and places still to see in my new home for the next few months.  Fortunately, I now know that all I have to do is put my shoes on and get myself out the door. Time to lace up!

Brendan Blaney

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“Actually Studying During Study Abroad”- Emma Nitschke

It’s the first day of the second semester here at Le Catho. Now that I’ve not mentioned actual school for an entire semester, now would be a pretty good time.

In some ways, le Catho is like college in the U.S. In other ways, it’s very different. We choose courses by picking off class schedules taped to the wall. My mother went to college in the ‘70s and they had computerized course selection.

But the French kids don’t really even pick their classes. Everyone in their major takes the same courses at the same times, so all their classes are with the same kids. Also, all our classes are in one building. I feel like I’m back in high school sometimes.

You only have each class once a week, and their classes are worth half the credits of ours, so I signed up for 13 classes last semester and 11 for this one. Most of my classes are two hours long. One of them is four hours long (help).

Classes don’t all start and end the same week, it depends on the number of class hours and the professor’s preference. And if he or she cancels a class, there’s a make-up week at the end of the semester to reschedule it.

There’s not as many classes scheduled for Monday or Friday because those days are when we have all our exams. So last semester, every day was a three-day weekend for me (more like four since I only had one class on Monday). That was really nice, but that much free time can really derail your motivation and the resulting 8 a.m.-6 p.m. class days I had Tuesday through Thursday could be exhausting.  

The content of the classes is a lot more lecture than discussion. They don’t assign as many readings as American professors, but it’s certainly not a year free from homework. A lot of classes have the midterm and final as the only grades.

Speaking of grades, they grade on a scale from 1 to 20 here. Ten is passing (for MU students studying abroad here), 12 is a B+, 14 and above is an A. And as they told us at orientation, “Twenty is for God alone, 19 is for the professor, 17 and 18 is for blowing the professor away, and 16 is really really good.” I think professors grade a little easier on the international kids, because all my grades were between 13 and 19.

All in all, school in France, in French as an international student is challenging, but not overwhelming. There were some times I stayed up super late writing papers or studying, but that was my own fault for procrastinating. I got good grades (at least on the midterms, we still don’t know our final grades), but I had to work for them. Even though it’s obviously harder to keep up in lectures here, I never leave class feeling totally lost.

So if you’re considering studying abroad, taking college courses in another language may seem daunting, but I encourage you to try. You can always drop the class or switch to an English class if it turns out to be too much, but it’s a lot easier to rise to the challenge than you may think. Taking classes in French has majorly strengthened my listening comprehension and familiarity with the language — skills that my friends who only took classes in English admit they couldn’t develop on their own.

The chance to take translation classes would be reason enough for me to study abroad. I decided at the end of high school that’s what I wanted to do with my life even though I had zero experience in it and Marquette doesn’t offer classes in it. Getting to try my hand at it before I go to grad school for a degree in it is incredibly reassuring and my success with it makes me so excited for my future career.

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ROTC cadets can receive a fully funded scholarship to learn Arabic in Oman in summer 2021 with Marquette University!  Applications now open!  Deadline is January 13, 2021.  For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3d2qNHi. #ApplyProjectGO #marquetteglobal #ROTC #USArmyROTC #USNavyROTC #USAirforceROTC #Oman https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9zkMJH4pO/?igshid=1xqo6a86w0yrh

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3 Things I Learned Abroad- Nathan Baron

1) Your first month abroad will be crucial to making friends. Be as social as possible; talk to anyone and everyone. Although it may seem like kids already have their friend groups, they don’t, and they’re likely looking to meet new people as well. When I first arrived at orientation, I introduced myself to over 50 people, taking down their Whatsapp numbers and getting to know them the best I could. You’d be surprised how big of a smile you can put on someone’s face by remembering a name and a fun fact about them. Once you’ve met a few people, try to plan lunch or a trip to local club one night and get your dance on. The people you meet these first few weeks will not only become some of your closest friends, but they also might become your nearest and dearest travel buddy when you plan weekend getaways to nearby countries. With the friends I met my first few weeks, I took trips to Paris, Barcelona, the Italian Alps, and the Canary Islands (Spring Break with friends in the Canary Islands)!

2) Save more money than you thought you’d need and make a budget. Although Marquette provides you with cost predictions, these are estimates solely based on cost of living which includes rent and groceries. In order to get the most out of your study abroad experience you will need to immerse yourself in the local culture. This means eating local cuisine, traveling, and taking part in excursions. And don’t get me started about a gym membership. In Milan, a gym membership will cost you an arm and a leg; but a healthy you is a happy you, am I right? Some unexpected costs I ran into included:

a.       Metro Pass (More expensive than I expected)

b.      An Italian Sim Card (25 Euros up front and 10 Euros a month thereafter)

c.       Gym Membership (Over 400 Euros for 4 months)

d.      Medicine when you unexpectedly get sick

e.       A new GoPro after mine got stolen

f.        Inevitable taxi rides home from the club when you realize the metro is closed for the night or when you’re rushing to the airport because you might miss your flight

3)      Pay the extra $75 at the airport for an overweight bag so that you can plan ahead when it comes to packing. My mom was smart enough to send me off with plenty of supplies such as:

a.       Shampoo

b.      Conditioner

c.       Toothpaste

d.      Extra Contact Lenses

e.       Facial Tissues

f.        Over the Counter Medicine (allergy medicine and pain killers)

g.      School Supplies (Pens, Pencils, Notebooks)

h.      Mini Laundry Detergent

By planning ahead with your packing, you will alleviate the stresses of finding your preferred brands for personal products, save money as many of these products cost more money abroad, and save time. When you arrive in your new home, you will be tired and the last thing you will want to do is go shopping for toothpaste, shampoo, or laundry detergent. Also keep in mind that Amazon isn’t as efficient in other countries as it is in the US and if there is a language barrier, finding some of these products in stores will be especially difficult (Travel Vlog of me arriving in Italy).

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A letter to my pre-abroad self - Serena Hendrickson

Hey pre-abroad Serena, I’m writing you a little letter to help calm your worries and fears. I know during the flight to Madrid you’ll be worried about if you’ll be able to communicate well enough in Spanish, if you’ll make friends, and if you’ll get lost in the city. Now that I’m on the other side looking back, I can tell you a couple of things for certain, mostly that you will adapt just fine and by the end of the semester you won’t want to leave. Here’s some reassurances for your semester.  Yes, you will be able to communicate well enough in Spanish. Sometimes it’ll be more difficult than others to get your point across if you forget words or what grammar structure to use, but you’ll figure it out. You learned quickly how to use other words to describe the word you forgot and how to use a similar grammatical structure to make sure you said what you wanted to. This helps you to improve your Spanish believe it or not. You must be a little more creative, and it helps you to learn more words. By the end of the semester, your Spanish will have improved more than you thought possible.

Yes, you will make friends... and they will be amazing people who you’ll be very sad to leave. I know it sounds nerve-wracking since you’ve always been a little more on the shy side, but don’t be afraid to talk to everyone you can. You will quickly break out of your shell more than you thought you’d ever be capable of. Don’t be afraid to plan trips with a group of girls you’ve known for a week, they’ll become some of your closest friends and best memories. And come the end of December, you’ll have a bittersweet couple of days... you’ll have to say goodbye to everyone you met, and honestly, that’s the hardest part about studying abroad. 

I hate to admit it to you, but you will get lost in Madrid. And guess what? You’ll survive. You’ll find your way home or to wherever you’re going. There are always people around you can ask for directions, or you can pull out google maps. While google maps is super helpful, sometimes you should turn it off and purposely get a little lost. Getting lost helps you figure out ways to get around the city without relying completely on directions. You’ll also be able to see different parts of the city than if you were following a route from a map - you’ll take side streets that have hidden gems, like cool street art and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that have the best food in the city. Enjoy getting a little lost and wandering around Madrid.   Well pre-abroad Serena, I hope these thoughts are reassuring as you head off to your semester in Madrid. It’s going to be an amazing four months and it will fly by. Be present in every moment and take it all in, it’ll be over quicker than you expected, and you’ll find yourself dying to go back.  Besos, Post-abroad Serena

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Saying Goodbye – Kaitlyn Schmidt

I cannot believe my time in Spain is coming to an end. I have 3 weeks left and just typing that now I am filled with confusion and shock. Madrid is now my home and has become a part of me in many ways. It’s hard to believe I will be returning to quite literally “reality” and not be living the European way. I am anxious to see the extent of my reverse culture shock when I am back in the states. 

Having my family here a few weeks ago was absolutely amazing, and I very much enjoyed showing them this beautiful city that I feel so connected to. It is a week I will remember for the rest of my life, so I thank my family for this special time. Having had this opportunity, I feel more prepared to go home as my family was able to experience all the things I told them about constantly over the phone for the prior three months. Although the idea of returning home comes with some sadness, I am also looking forward to going back to the great state of Wisconsin. Needless to say, I have very mixed feelings about leaving Spain, but I do believe that is the perfect place to be pre-departure. It signifies the richness of my experiences abroad, as well as the many blessings I have waiting for me at home. I would like to touch on some of these things in this post as I begin to reflect with my dwindling days left.

These past few months in Madrid and Europe have been the time of my life, and I cannot believe where I was when the plane first arrived in the Madrid-Barajas Airport, to where I am now. I have always been a pretty independent individual (just ask my parents haha), but I have developed a new level of independence while abroad that is hard to put into words. I have an inner peace within me that has empowered me to step outside my comfort zone every day, something prior to this experience I struggled with. It is me being comfortable with being lost and exploring an area, working on my Spanish with locals even though it makes me incredibly nervous, and allowing myself to think fearlessly towards the future, acknowledging the variety of unknown factors and still knowing I can accomplish my dreams by just being me (and obviously lots of hard work). I have realized it is so powerful to step away from all you know and be put into a new environment, as we get to know ourselves in new ways, often ones that are untapped in familiar or regular settings. This semester abroad came at a perfect time for me with some personal circumstances, and I can say being able to “just be” and find a renewed sense of self has by far been by the biggest milestone of my experience.

Looking forward, I am excited for a fun and enriching summer. I will be in Milwaukee working as a full-time marketing and sales intern, and I am excited to experience Milwaukee summer without the usual school stresses. I have heard it is a very fun place to be in the summer, and I can’t wait to catch up with my friends and spend time together. I am very excited for my adventure with my internship this summer, as it is different from my internship last summer, and I am interested to see which one I will like more in relation to job duties going into senior year. I am also excited to work with the sales team I met during the interview process, and to see what we can all accomplish during my time there. Beyond that, I am ecstatic to be with my family again. My hometown is only an hour and fifteen minutes from campus, so trips home on the weekends will be easy and enjoyable. I cannot wait to be within driving distance of my family, much less in the same country. Although leaving my second home of Madrid will be challenging, I have so many amazing people at home and things to look forward to that I really can’t complain.

I have learned so many things this semester, but one of the main things has been the power of stepping back from a situation and reflecting. The support of my friends and family on this journey has been invaluable and reiterated how lucky I am to have all of them in my life. I am excited to make the most of my 20 days left here (minus exams- eww), and look forward to my return home. As my Dad has told me many times, I will be back to Madrid and Europe many more times, this is just the beginning… And what a beginning this has been.

¡Hasta Luego!

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Spanish Culture and Language – Kaitlyn Schmidt

Ahhh, Madrid, quite possibly the best city in the world. It has been a fabulous three months here, and it’s hard to believe I have less than two months left in my study abroad journey. Of all of the wonderful places I have been in Europe, Madrid still remains at the top of my list. I chose Madrid to further my Spanish language skills, not knowing how much I would eventually love this amazing Spanish city. The Spanish culture was eye-opening in the first couple weeks, but I can now say I have assimilated fully into it with my late dinners, tolerance for straight espresso, and love for lengthy walks anywhere I go (regardless of my shoe choice). I recently discussed with one of close friends the impactful nature of living in another country for an extended period of time. We agreed that now Madrid is home, but not only that, it is a part of us and who we will be. I can personally say I feel very connected to this city and culture, but also the Spanish language in ways I did not know were possible.

I knew through all the tough grammar classes, long essays, and nerve-racking presentations that my quest for fluency would be worth it in the long haul. Continuing my Spanish into college always seemed like the logical thing to do considering I already had 6 years of study under my belt. However, I did not realize my passion for the language until college, and even more recently with my time in Spain. The Spanish language is beautiful, and is not just a course I take back at Marquette, but it is now part of my identity. I am slowly (key word slowly) approaching fluency and have grown a large amount while abroad, which makes me feel a large sense of pride and achievement. Every time I speak the language, whether it is correct or not, it is a step in the right direction. The day-to-day contact with the language is something I recently realized I will miss when I return, so I am trying to take small steps to prepare me for that and ensure I continue to work on my Spanish as much as possible. I hope to continue to be inspired once I return to a fully English speaking country. I just changed my iPhone language setting to Spanish and have an app for a few Spanish newspapers to practice reading comprehension. I am eager to see what the next two months bring, but even more excited for continued growth with the Spanish language. Oh, and my family will be here in ONE WEEK … stay tuned!

¡Hasta Luego!

[marquetteglobal]

Photos from Global Correspondent Kaitlyn Schmidt in Madrid, Spain.

[marquetteglobal]

Lessons and Luggage - Kaitlyn Schmidt

Hello everyone!

The Spanish steps in Rome.

“Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport.” - unknown

I have been on three trips since my last post, and I can now say the above quote speaks the absolute truth. I was not much of a traveler before this semester, and I can now say I have become a world traveler obsessed with the pursuit of new faces and places. Being in unfamiliar places brings out interesting thoughts and experiences that are best experienced in this raw state. It makes you open your eyes to the world, fully and intently. In February I visited Rome, Barcelona, and London and it was absolutely incredible. I have been able to visit Marquette friends and travel with them as well, and I can say that travel brings a new dimension to many relationships. Since we are on the #cheapflights grind, there are many memories to be made at five in the morning when you are stuck at the airport patiently waiting for your next chance at shut eye.

Exploring Europe has been more amazing than I thought possible. The word “explore” has a completely different meaning to me now. I have found the most unique places while using my heart as a guide throughout Madrid and all other cities. As we speak, I am at my new favorite café I found after visiting my landlord’s office to pay rent. Letting myself explore and wholeheartedly enjoy my surroundings has quite frankly awakened a new part of my being that further yearns to discover and experience life in the moment. This is one of many lessons I hope to bring back home when my journey concludes.

Park Guell in Barcelona with two Marquette friends.

Seeing different cultures has been a very intriguing experience that continues to widen my perspective and make me ponder how I approach my life day to day (in a good way). As many of you know, the European way of life is quite different than that of the United States, and I have very much come to enjoy it. The exposure to different niches within Europe has fostered so much peace within me, as I have observed the people and taken in every beautiful site possible. The beauty of the world is something we truly take for granted, and a lesson I learned shortly after I arrived in Madrid. Although Milwaukee, Wisconsin does not have the Trevi Fountain or Big Ben, it has so much character and uniqueness to offer. This is yet another lesson my travels have given me that I hope to embrace upon returning home.

The view from Bunker del Carmel in Barcelona.

I am so grateful for these past two months in Europe, and look forward to what is to come! At this point I cannot imagine my life without this experience, as it has opened my eyes to so many things and created a paradigm shift within me.

Sayonara from Spain (and as of tomorrow, Switzerland!),

Kaitlyn Schmidt

Me being legit blown away by the London Eye.

Fish and chips in London

Plaza de Espana, Madrid.