The view from Spain: Rachel Stein on international student life

What are you studying and what made you choose UWEC?

I'm on the pre-med track, a biochemistry/molecular biology major with a minor in Spanish for health professionals. My hometown is West Salem and this is my third year at UW-Eau Claire. 

When I was deciding to go to college, I really wanted to go somewhere that I felt I would both have great opportunities and be able to have a personalized education. That is to say, I didn’t just want to be a face in the crowd. As a pre-med student, the many research and medical opportunities were a huge selling point to come here since UWEC has many collaborations with Mayo Clinic Health System. I also wanted to swim competitively while getting a great education. The bonus is Eau Claire is a great city in general, and I loved the people almost immediately.

When did you decide to add study abroad to your academic plan?

When I started college, I was on the varsity swim and dive team so I didn't really think it would be possible for me. After making the decision to not swim after my first year, even though I became very involved on campus, it became more realistic to pursue study abroad. It worked out well to do a semester in Europe for the spring semester of my third year. It's been a dream to learn another language in this immersive way.

How did you decide on the study abroad program you chose in Spain?

I chose Bilbao because I wanted something a little different. I knew I wanted to learn Spanish and go to Spain because I had never been to Europe, but also because I wanted the real living experience. While I know Barcelona and Madrid are very popular, I wanted to live there, not just be a tourist, if that makes sense. It was also important to me to be near nature, and Bilbao is the perfect place. It has mountains, beaches and is a great city. Plus, the history in this area of Spain is so fascinating. It is the perfect place in my opinion.

Was it a challenge to your academic plan to do a full semester abroad?

I am definitely very involved on campus in addition to being in a pretty "packed" degree plan, and coming into college I had this mindset of, “I have to graduate in four years.” However, when I was considering studying abroad later in my college career, I had to weigh the options of staying on that four-year track. It would have been possible, but only by taking summer classes or substituting a course or two.

I knew that I already wanted to take a gap year in between undergrad and medical school, so for me it was an easier decision to graduate a semester later. Realistically, you will never have the opportunity to move to another country for months at the price you pay when studying abroad. I think the lessons you learn, the places you see and the people you meet make it so worth it to push the graduation date back if that’s the only thing you are hesitant about.

Were you nervous to begin this experience? If so, describe what you were nervous about and how you overcame it.

Yes, I was very nervous about many things. I knew I would be living with a host family, and since I had not taken Spanish since high school, I was very nervous to be thrown in the deep end, so to speak. The truth is that I got through it because of the support of my host family, an experience I strongly recommend. It is the best way to truly experience the culture of a place while living with a built-in support system. Learning the language was my goal for coming to Spain, and this has been an amazing and supportive learning environment to do so.

Describe your academic experience in Spain. How is the rigor, schedule, lifestyle different from life as a Blugold on your home campus? What are the best parts so far? What have you found to be a bit of a challenge?

It is so different but in such a wonderful way. I honestly think now is the time to study abroad (in the middle of your college career). It is so refreshing to immerse yourself in a new world in this way, taking Spanish courses for the majority of my semester. I definitely have a lot more downtime here, but that allows for so much exploration outside of classes. It can be a challenge to keep up with things like emails and other news and communication back home, but the juggling is totally worth it. My courses are becoming more difficult, but they are all taught in Spanish, which also makes the language learning feel much faster.

What do you see as the best reason to have carved out this time in your life to live in another country?

This time spent living and studying abroad has shown me there are so many different ways to live your life. Being here has taught me what I truly prioritize in my life and what makes me happiest. This experience in Spain — the lifestyle, the people, the culture — has taught me so much about who I am as a person, what I struggle with, what I thrive on and what I really care about. For example, I have found that I love living in a walkable city. It has made me incredibly happy to be able to constantly move and explore with ease.

As I think about my future, a lasting impact will be my improved ability to connect across different cultures, languages and countries. I think traveling shows us how we are all different but all still human. It’s a beautiful thing.

What are your top five favorite things about Spain at this point in your stay?

1. Number one favorite has to be the food. Bilbao is in País Vasco (Basque Country) which is a place rich in history and traditions. They even have a separate language here called Basque/Euskara. Many foods are from the Basque culture, and they are absolutely phenomenal.
2. The scenery here — there is nothing like it. Going to the ocean via 20-minute metro ride is everything I have dreamed of. Also, the landscape changes dramatically in different parts of Spain, so you can travel four hours away and feel like you’re in a whole new place.
3. The people. Everyone is very willing to help and talk with you in Spanish, and they are happy that you are learning. I like the social culture of people here too. They love to be social and make time to hang out with friends and family, which I admire.
4. The language. I think Spanish is such a unique language in comparison to English because it has so many fun phrases and ways to express what you’re feeling. It has been a lot of fun to learn and grow.
5. A true favorite thing here is the safety. I never feel unsafe here, and that is really important as a woman who traveled here solo. There is hardly any crime in the city, and I don't worry walking around at night by myself and traveling to other countries in Europe on my own.

Learn more about your study away options

If you are a current or incoming Blugold curious or interested in study abroad, make an appointment to talk with an academic advisor and visit the Study Abroad website for stories, details and a link to the full list of program options.