Paella, siestas, and Studying, Oh My!
By Leslie Dunstan

Toledo, Spain is a historic city perched atop rolling hills and picturesque rivers, inlaid with the narrow cobblestone streets for which Europe is known, and home to world-renowned sword-making. But to three undergraduate students – Michelle Escobar, Christina Hardin, and Colleen Lahey – Toledo was something more. It was their destination for a six-week-long Ohio State study abroad adventure last summer in Iberoamerica! The young women, friends and facility managers at Larkins Hall on campus, hail from all over Ohio: Christina is from Waynesfield near Lima, Michelle is from Dayton, and Colleen is from Cincinnati. They all have one thing in common, though: a passion for the Spanish language and Latin@ culture in general.

Michelle, a Spanish major, plans on graduating in Winter Quarter 2006 with graduate school in mind and a desire to work for the government in diplomatic relations, all the while utilizing her Spanish skills. Christina, also a Spanish major, is enjoying her last quarter here at OSU before she graduates in June. Ultimately, she would like to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) abroad and continue to improve her Spanish. Lastly, Colleen, an exercise science major and a Spanish minor, also graduates this spring and has been accepted to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. She plans on traveling with the Navy and, like her amigas, wants to continue utilizing her talento en español.

The three jetted off to Toledo last June to gain credit toward their Spanish majors and minors and study at La Fundación de José Ortega y Gassett, named after the famous Spanish humanist philosopher. While Christina and Colleen chose to share a dormitory to have more personal space and be close to the university’s computer labs, Michelle opted instead to live with a host family to fully immerse herself in the Spanish culture. The girls enjoyed their daily schedule of class in the morning, followed by the famous Spanish tradition of an afternoon siesta, then more classes, and lastly, evenings spent perusing the city’s cafés, eating tapas (Spanish appetizers such as brushetta, sausage, and other assorted toppings), the famous Spanish delicacy, paella, and sipping on wine.

They all become notably most enthusiastic when recounting their journeys around Spain, such as to Madrid, Barcelona, the exotic beaches of San Sebastián (a personal favorite of Colleen and Michelle), and the cities of Southern Spain, such as Granada and Andalucía (where Christina experienced a traditional Arab bath and dazzling Flamenco shows). They then flexed their traveling muscles even further by meeting up with a fellow friend and facility manager, Jess Durham, and explored Prague and Italy, specifically Florence, Venice, and Rome.

“You’re going to get out of
it what you put into it.”

Michelle, Christina, and Colleen all agree that their study abroad experience opened their eyes and changed them for the better. For Michelle, living in Spain was an introspective experience that taught her about herself and also made her re-evaluate her relationships with her loved ones. Christina and Colleen both agree that being in a foreigner’s shoes opened their minds and allowed them to really learn and grow. Above all, they agree that their experience in Spain has made them want to see the world and continue to have amazing, eye-opening adventures. Perhaps Michelle puts it best when she compares study abroad to life itself: “You’re going to get out of it what you put into it.”

Leslie Dunstan, ¿Qué Pasa, OSU? Assistant Editor, is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Spanish and a minor in International Studies of Latin America. Leslie can be reached at dunstan.4@osu.edu.