Introducing Avery Wright

What is/are your major(s)?

Mathematics

What is/are your minor(s)?

Spanish, Geographic Information Science

What is the name of your study abroad program?

WorldStrides (ISA): Universidad de Sevilla: Hispanic Studies & Electives

In what city & country is your study abroad program located?

Seville, Spain

What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?

While I am outgoing, especially around people I’m comfortable with, I am naturally an introvert, and am a bit nervous to study abroad. Even then, I know this experience is something that is truly going to help me step outside of my comfort zone and grow in ways I never could at home.

What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?

I am most excited to immerse myself in the Spanish language. Growing up, I was in a dual-language Spanish program, so I have been studying Spanish for a long time. Even then, I’ve never had the opportunity to truly practice my Spanish skills outside of a classroom. Although I am technically bilingual, I am not the most confident speaker, so I look forward to building that confidence and incorporating Spanish into my daily life.

Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?

When I was a junior in high school, my brother studied abroad in London through DU. Over that Thanksgiving, my family visited for the week. It was my first time in Europe, and it was incredible. I loved everything about my experience, from the transportation system to seeing a different culture from my own. Before that trip, I had doubts about studying abroad. The idea of being in an environment so different from my own made me anxious. But after that visit, I knew I wanted to study abroad for myself.

Introducing Addison Baker

What is/are your major(s)?

Political Science, Journalism

What is/are your minor(s)?

Spanish, Leadership Studies

What is the name of your study abroad program?

WorldStrides (ISA): Universidad de Sevilla: Hispanic Studies & Electives

In what city & country is your study abroad program located?

Seville, Spain

What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?

Many people who meet me do not realize the amount of anxiety and self-doubt I deal with on a daily basis. For me, Study Abroad is a huge opportunity to not only face my anxiety, but fight it and put myself into situations that I may not have the confidence to do back home.

What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?

I am truly so excited to be staying with a Spanish host family. Spanish is one of my minors, and I think that this experience will really help me with my fluency and understanding of the language. Not only that, but I hope to build a cross-cultural connection with my host family. I can’t wait to learn about Spain and Spanish culture from them, but also share my experiences as an American.

Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?

Growing up, I always knew that my life goal was to travel the world. I remember in Kindergarten, we had a cultural day, and speakers came to share with us stories of their culture and the countries they are from. This event sparked my passion for learning about people and my dream to experience many different cultures around the world. Study abroad is my first real opportunity to live out this dream, by immersing myself in a culture that I am fascinated by for three whole months!

I love vintage shopping, and I took this photo at a huge antique store in my hometown of Kansas City, MO. Go Chiefs!