At UC Davis, there are endless opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and grow as well-rounded individuals. Notably, studying abroad is one of the most exciting ways to do so. We see that to be true through the example of Kate Villegas. Kate is a fifth-year double-major in human development and communications. During her second year at UC Davis, she took part in a study abroad program, and her place of choice was none other than the magnificent destination of Madrid, Spain.

Memories from Madrid

Types of study abroad experiences are endless. Students can even take GE courses abroad while immersing themselves in a new culture, and that is an option Kate pursued. Choosing to spend a semester abroad is no simple decision, and Kate had her mind set on studying abroad since high school. Kate was particularly interested in Madrid because 

“I had never been and wanted to try living in a very large and busy city for a few months to see how I liked it. A semester was the perfect timing for me because it allowed me to have what I thought was not too little or not too long of an experience in Spain.”

Concerning her favorite moments from Madrid, Kate not only enjoyed academic endeavors such as her Latin American Sociology class and learning more about Hispanic colonization and Argentinian history. She also came to treasure experiences beyond academia.

“One thing about studying abroad that caught me by surprise was creating the good friendships I still have today through people I met in my study abroad program and in the international school I went to. I never expected to meet such like-minded, curious, and adventurous people that I still plan to travel with in the future,” Kate shared.

Connecting with Culture

One noteworthy benefit of studying abroad is the encouragement it provides for students to establish cultural connections.

Coming from a Mexican family, Kate had prior experience speaking Spanish, but her time in Madrid helped significantly in furthering her skills. Kate shared that influence from her culture and family helped solidify her desire to study abroad, on top of the fact that speaking Spanish has always been a priority of hers. She shared that “Being exposed to Spanish all day, on a daily basis, was an opportunity I am very grateful to have had that made me feel more comfortable speaking Spanish by the end of the program.”

A Global Experience, Continued

Kate’s journey as a Global Aggie did not stop after her time in Madrid. In fact, it laid the grounds for her role as a peer advisor and administrative assistant at the UC Davis Global Learning Hub. Kate recalled the exact moment while abroad in Madrid:

“I remember seeing the position posted on Handshake while I was in a McDonald’s in Madrid. I knew I needed a job for the new school year and thought that my experience studying abroad could be an asset in the position.”

Ultimately earning the position, Kate went on to carry out various tasks as part of her job responsibilities, such as providing students with information on global learning opportunities through marketing and communications work.

A Final Note

As shown by Kate’s experience as a Global Aggie, studying abroad can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. Kate said the opportunity offered her a glimpse into the communications field, which will help her pursue a desired career in public health and non-profit communications work.

For Aggies who are thinking of studying abroad, Kate shared, 

“I would say to try your best to pick a country where you can practice a language you do not know well. I would also give the advice that things will be difficult during your time away from home, especially with a language barrier at times, but the experience of living abroad with your student visa is so worth it, and it is a very unique and rare experience to be able to have in your life!”