PUC business student Olivia Newman has been spending her junior year studying in Spain through Adventist College Abroad. Growing up in Belleville, Michigan, she dreamed of studying abroad since high school. The thought of traveling and appreciating a different culture excited her. From the beautiful architecture in Spain and her goal of improving the Spanish language, Olivia chose to study at Campus Adventista de Sagunto. 

How are your classes and learning Spanish going for you?

The classes are great! I love every one of my professors. I had a lot of practice with Spanish before coming, which definitely helped. However, it is not a requirement. I was able to apply what I know in real-life scenarios, and I’m now more confident speaking in Spanish than when I first arrived. 

What does a typical day for you there look like?

A typical day for me involves waking up a little before 8 am and heading down to breakfast around 8:30. Core classes (grammar, composition, and conversation) start at 8:50. We have a small break before the last class and finish at 11:50. This is when elective classes start (I took flamenco, bible, and art). I eat lunch at 1:30 and dinner at 6:45. Depending on the day, I may use this time to go on a run and get coffee, take a nap, do homework, or hang out with my friends. In the evenings, there’s volleyball and soccer a couple of times a week that you can participate in. 

What cities have you visited so far?

In just 10 weeks, I was able to travel to several places. I visited Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Toledo, Malaga, and Segovia in Spain. Beyond the Spanish borders, I traveled to London, Vienna, Lisbon, and Milan.

What have been your favorite things so far about studying abroad?

My favorite things about studying abroad are connecting with new people, experiencing a new lifestyle, traveling, and growing. 

Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant there? 

My favorite meal was tapas from 100 Montaditos. It’s a chain that I’ve been to a few times, and it’s very cheap! The best location, in my opinion, was in Lisbon.  

What would you say to someone interested in ACA?

To those contemplating studying abroad: Go!! There is truly no other experience like it. Not studying abroad is something you risk regretting for the rest of your life. If you go, you’ll make lifelong memories.