Semester in Sevilla, Spain
Ofunneamaka Okogwu (MCS, '26) spent the spring 2024 semester studying abroad with CIEE in Seville, Spain. Ofunneamaka says:
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory was when my friends and I would have weekly dinners together in the dorm kitchen. It was such a core memory for me because we were all from different cultures, and we were able to showcase that through our meals together.
How has living in a different culture challenged or expanded your perspective on the world?
Living abroad, especially in a country that was quite different from my culture, was the best decision I made, honestly, in my whole college career. It pushed me to stay consistent with my language learning, especially since I hope to become multilingual one day with Spanish under my belt. It also made me realize that although we may all speak different languages, we are brought together by our similar interests. I was not as fluent in Spanish when I was abroad, but when my friends and I went to a soccer game, the whole crowd was brought together by the energy of the game. It was an amazing thing to be a part of.
What were some unexpected challenges you faced while abroad, and what strategies did you use to overcome them?
Some days, I felt extremely homesick, especially when I would call my family and friends back home. You know going abroad is so, so exciting, the fact that you're meeting so many new people, immersing yourself in your language of interest and honestly planning the other countries you're going to travel to during your time but when the excitement fades it can be a little isolating. One thing I did to overcome this feeling was, funnily enough, going outside and touching grass. There was a park right beside my dorm, so most of the time, I would go to the park with my blankie and my novel, chill there, and really soak in the fact that I was abroad.
Any advice for other students thinking of studying abroad?
My best advice is to take it one step at a time. The first days may be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time because you don't really know what to expect, but honestly, after like a week, you will be so much more comfortable. Also, budgeting is so important because one second you're chilling, and the next you're like, "oh... where'd my money go?"