Essay Winner

As most of you know I recently won an essay contest, and $100 for an essay I wrote about my experiences abroad and in Madrid, here it is:

Studying abroad at SU Madrid may be that defining moment in my education that I will look at ten years from now that changed my life. Now, my perspectives are global, my attitudes are international and I have memories that I will carry forever.
First of all, being abroad and living with a host family allowed me to learn a culture first hand. But, cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and personal habits. A person's culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence his or her way of life and the way that they view the world. Students who experience cultural differences personally can come to truly understand where other cultures are coming from. Being immersed in an entirely new cultural setting was scary at first, but it was also exciting. I looked at it as an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. I encountered situations that were unfamiliar to me and I learned to adapt and respond in effective ways. I am returning home with new ideas and perspectives about my own culture and myself. My experience in Madrid challenged me to reconsider my own beliefs and values and the encounter with other cultures enabled me to see my own culture through new eyes.
Also, I think in comparison with citizens of most other countries, Americans tend to be uninformed about the world beyond their own nation's boundaries. After my time abroad and at SU Madrid, I feel like I am returning to the States more informed and with a much less biased perspective toward other cultures and peoples. I was able to gain a new perspective on the United States. Being immersed in only one country gave me a limited view of our world, but from the vantage point of someone else’s culture I can truly see my own. By being exposed to so many diverse traditions in Madrid, I understand the significance of keeping my own traditions alive. I have a better understanding of how I as an individual fit into this world.
Of course, there are so many amazing things to experience around the world. I was able to see different natural landscapes and climates that simply do not exist in America. There are historical landmarks in every country that helped shape the history of the globe. You can expand your knowledge of the world by actually being there, seeing it, touching it, and experiencing it. Pictures in textbooks simply do not do justice to standing under the Eiffel Tower or next to the Parthenon in Greece or inside the Vatican in Rome. Is there a place or landmark you have always wanted to see? This is how you can understand the world in a direct, all-encompassing way. Studying and living in a different culture will help you see the world from a completely different perspective. It is an amazing experience that will change your life. 


While at SU Madrid I had the opportunity to truly become a full-time student. Traveling outside the United States was an education in itself. In addition to enjoying and learning in my classes during the week, I learned some of the most valuable lessons outside of the classroom. Study trips and excursions to museums and cultural sites added to my academic and personal growth and it was one of the best things about SU Madrid. I learned to interact with people who may not necessarily think or communicate like me. While in Madrid, even mundane activities – like shopping for groceries suddenly became educational experiences.
SU Madrid is a great study abroad that is highly recommended and was by far the best decision I have made in my life up to this point, and I hope the students who come after me take advantage of all the opportunities that SU Madrid presents them