Sierra Sanchez ‘19 is an English major and Spanish minor who studied abroad in Germany during the spring semester of her sophomore year through ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥'s ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥in ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program. She chose this study abroad program to experience other cultures, further open herself to the world and challenge herself to improve her German.
What was your favorite/most memorable experience?
"My study abroad experience through the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥in ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥program felt like one incredible moment after another, but I think my favorite experience was visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I had wanted to go there since I was about ten, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. I still do not have the words for how I felt upon walking into the chapel of the basilica and seeing the light come through the stained glass windows--it was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen."
Do you have any examples of ‘culture shock’?
"In terms of culture shock, the hardest part was adapting to living somewhere where I did not speak the language. My German was practically nonexistent upon beginning the program, so it was a big adjustment to navigate daily life with what little German I knew."
How did ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ prepare you for this experience, or what did this experience teach you about ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥?
"There are so many ways in which ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ prepared me for my experience abroad, but I think its commitment to learning about and respecting other cultures helped me the most. For my C credit, I took Cultural Anthropology, and that class greatly expanded my passion for understanding others. ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ also does a great job of opening up conversations about engaging in a more global environment."
Sierra Sanchez '19
Major: English
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Franklin, Ind.