Name: Emily Gang

Where: Dominican Republic; Valencia, Spain; San German, Puerto Rico

When: Spring Break 2013, Summer 2012, and Spring 2014

I was determined to increase my proficiency through immersion. I strongly believe that acquiring a language is dependent upon the amount of practice using it, so I chose to travel to Spanish-speaking countries so that I could practice [doing just that]. As a prospective teacher, I was also interested in exploring how I could contribute to the cause of improving education, as well as the possibility of pursuing a career helping struggling communities abroad in place of (or in addition to) those here in the United States.

I expected it to be easy to make friends and interact with the culture and my surroundings, but it is challenging. Learning about a country or region’s history while living in it allows you to observe firsthand the effects of the [historical] events that  have occurred, as well as the influence of other cultures [on the country] by means of these events.

[If I could do it all again], I would try to interact more with the locals, especially those who are not able to speak English, and less with fellow Americans in my study abroad program. I would advise someone who is studying abroad to step out of their comfort zone. Introduce yourself to locals when you go out. Try foods that are native to the region. Go to local events, festivals, and historical sites. Participate as much as possible in things that are new to you so that you can learn more about your host country’s culture.