Once you’re there, my piece of advice is to be present in the moment and just go for it, because time flies fast when you’re having fun and the memories will last forever.
Name: Rachel Yan (Cohort 7)
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Give a brief description of the experience.
I loved it! Studying abroad was something that I have always wanted to participate in since high school and finally being able to do it crossed it off my bucket list. I remember getting butterflies in my stomach the moment I landed in Madrid and the feeling of being there still hasn’t settled in. After exploring the city and starting classes, I began to feel more at home and my routine began to feel more natural. From getting lost and missing the bus to knowing which line to ride on the metro, I started to feel more local each day. Starting classes abroad felt similar to being in class at UMD so it wasn’t too much of a shift. A lot of the professors there taught as a second job, many of them worked engineering jobs before coming to teach class. And so, many times during class it was cool hearing them talk about their projects and experiences and relating it to class concepts. One of my favorite memories from the semester that I love was when my math professor invited the class to watch him and his band perform a tribute for The Beatles. It was a fun way to end the semester as well. Studying abroad was definitely an experience that I cherish.
What was the most impactful part of the experience?
The most impactful part of the experience is being able to discover a new part of myself. It might sound a little cliche but I was truly able to gain a new level of confidence. Before studying abroad, I made a checklist of all the things that I wanted to do during my time there, one of which was a solo trip. Over Easter Break, I booked an early morning trip to London with no itinerary and just wandered around and doing things on a whim. I got to visit Big Ben (many times) and saw many references to Harry Potter and Paddington. Along the way I met other solo travelers which was pretty cool. At first I didn’t think solo traveling would be for me but after my trip to the UK, I found out that I really loved it. It allowed me to be more spontaneous and pursue things that I was interested in without waiting on others. Even though I had doubts and nerves beforehand, going on that trip was one of my most memorable experiences.
What surprised you?
What surprised me was meeting so many people from around the world. During my stay, I shared an apartment with eight other students and working professionals who were also living abroad in Madrid. Whenever we gathered together (mostly in the kitchen) we would exchange stories about our different cultures from back home and ways of navigating Madrid, whether it be trying out local food spots or sharing weekend activities. From our conversations, I learned so much about other countries' education structures and subtle lifestyle differences and even language lingo too.
Did you make any personal and/or professional connections with peers?
Yes, during one of the trips that Clark in Madrid hosted was to a nearby city called Segovia, I was able to meet students from local universities and we got to chat about Spain’s cultures and traditions and discuss study abroad. Even after the trip we still kept in touch and we even planned together to celebrate one of Madrid’s biggest festivals. In addition, my classes gave me the chance to meet other students from different universities and engineering programs. We would sometimes meet before or after class to grab a quick bite to talk about our day and even plan trips.
What were your major takeaways? What did you learn?
There’s a lot of life lessons that I can take away from this study abroad experience. Adaptability was something that I greatly improved on, whether it be getting used to the “late” schedule, changing my usual routines, and even taking part in the siestas along the way. Moreover, it taught me how to go with the flow in unexpected situations. When I accidently ended up missing the bus for a day trip, I decided to not let the day go to waste and dedicated the day to the free museums that Madrid offered. This small mischance turned into a fun afternoon looking at paintings and modern art.
How have your career or academic goals changed or evolved as a result of this experience?
Studying abroad has changed my career and academic goals. It led me to think more globally about perspectives and questions in and outside of the classroom. I’m really passionate about sustainability and after living in Madrid and experiencing other countries, I got to see how they work towards sustainability and implement sustainable initiatives such as wind turbines or electric transportation. In addition, it even inspired me to consider pursuing graduate studies abroad in the future.
What is one piece of advice you would give to another Clark Scholar about engaging in this experience and/or pursuing an experience like this?
Give it a chance! Even if it's your first time out of the country or you are an avid traveler, I believe studying abroad gives a different perspective of traveling and learning. There are so many opportunities that UMD offers whether it’s short term or long term and there's always a program that is just the right fit for you. Once you’re there, my piece of advice is to be present in the moment and just go for it, because time flies fast when you’re having fun and the memories will last forever.
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