For many Campbellsville University students, the thought of studying abroad seems daunting. Most students don’t even know where to start. However, with the Center for Education Abroad, CU students are given the opportunity to travel and study in more than 30 different countries with the guidance and support they need. Three brave CU students took the leap and decided to study abroad in Spain in the past year.
Former student Molly Ward, who graduated in the spring of 2024, studied in Sevilla, Spain for her whole final senior semester. She was a double major in Spanish and intercultural mission studies. Ward was able to finish her main classes beforehand, so she spent her last semester “just taking fun electives in Spain.”
“These classes ranged from cooking and painting to teaching Spanish kids English in their schools,” Ward said. “It was all very fun and a lighter load since a huge part of academics in study abroad is just your experience living in a different culture.”
For Ward, the biggest culture shock was mealtimes.
“In Spain, they eat breakfast at the typical time, before work and school time,” Ward said. “But then you wait until 2 p.m. at the earliest for a huge lunch, and then dinner is not until around 10 at night.”
Ward also took a solo trip to Venice, which she described as “unreal.”
“Being able to wake up with no plan and just get lost in the tiny streets provided such a good rest,” Ward said. “I was able to enjoy the city and take in the beauty at my own pace.”
For those who are considering studying abroad, Ward says to go for it, since there are many programs to accommodate the experience you want.
“Don’t think you have to know the language to go to a certain country,” said Ward. “Sure, it helps, and certainly enhances the experience, but there are options for those not studying a language.”
CU alumni Andrea Duvall, who graduated in 2023, studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain during her last semester of college. Duvall also travelled to Portugal twice while abroad. She was pursuing a double major in criminal justice and Spanish and studied five courses at the Cursos Internacional de Salamanca.
“All the professors only spoke Spanish, but my favorite class was Spain Art,” Duvall said. “This is because we got to study about the art specifically in Spain and in Salamanca. When I would go tour museums or local art, most of the time I would see what we studied in class.”
For Duvall, there were many culture shocks and barriers to deal with, but at the same time, she says the worldview of the locals was refreshing to see.
“I had several culture shocks while abroad: the amount of walking everyone did, the price on food and the difference with quality,” Duvall said. “But the biggest culture shock was how everyone enjoyed life. In the U.S., everyone is busy and is trying to be the next best thing, but in Spain, everyone is slowed down. They enjoy having conversations in the plaza for hours, taking a walk by the river and cooking and experiencing new foods.”
To Duvall, the most significant moments in her trip abroad were the little things.
“The most significant moment is a lot of little moments of experiences,” Duvall said. “It’s when I made friends during travelling. It’s going shopping with my host family. It was a time when me and a new friend tried speaking Portugués so we could pet a local store cat. The most significant moments are the new experiences and memories you make for a lifetime.”
Duvall encourages anyone considering studying abroad to “go for it” and to “try everything you can.”
Another study abroad story comes from junior Ellie Eisses, a double major in Spanish and mathematics. This past summer, Eisses travelled to Segovia, Spain in the Castilla and León autonomous community just north of Madrid, capital of Spain. Eisses also travelled to Asturias in northern Spain, Cataluña in the east and Andalucía in the south.
Eisses was not alone in her journey, as she travelled with Dr. Arranz, Spanish professor at CU, as well as a friend.
“One thing that did surprise me was the ease of public transportation,” Eisses said. “I was able to travel around the country solely relying on public transportation without any issues. Another great part about my trip was that I lived with a Spanish family while there, so I was very immersed in the culture. This cultural immersion was what truly made the trip impactful on the rest of my life, as it allowed me to form a whole new perspective on what it means to be a world citizen.”
One of the biggest reasons Eisses decided to study abroad was to improve her knowledge of the Spanish language. Eisses feels she improved her Spanish speaking abilities and was able to see firsthand what she had been learning in classes.
For Eisses, the most significant moment of her study abroad experience was when she was able to attend a Bible study.
“Surrounded by other believers and listening to discussions of Christianity in a different language highlighted the universal nature of faith,” Eisses said. “And it showed how it can connect us despite our differences.”
Eisses encourages any student who is considering studying abroad to “go for it,” as the friendships and memories made there will “last a lifetime.”
“The memories and friendships I made during my time abroad are unforgettable and the experience was truly once-in-a-lifetime,” Eisses said. “My biggest piece of advice would be to make the most of the experience by immersing yourself in the local culture to the best of your ability, as that is the best way to learn and gain new points of view on our world. […] It is very beneficial to go in with an open mind and a desire to learn, even if it means temporarily forgoing some luxuries or comforts in the process.”
To learn more about the Study Abroad Program and how to start your own study abroad journey, go to campbellsville.edu/education-abroad.
