Connecting Conversations
to the Classroom

If you had told Freshman Sally, (who was in the Gamecock Gateway program as a Biology Major), that she will graduate with leadership distinction and be bilingual thanks to her two studies abroad, I’d like to think she would believe you and say “Well of course I will.” But honestly she would probably pass out. Studying abroad was the only thing I wanted to do in college. These experiences were dreams come true. I chose two polar opposite destinations on purpose. I wanted a dramatic, diverse global perspective. My first program was four months in Ecuador, and my second was five weeks in Argentina. The Galápagos is a remote paradise, and Buenos Aires is a fast paced big city. Argentina is influenced more by the European culture because of the immigrants that came from Germany and Italy. While Ecuador‘s traditional culture is deeply rooted from its surrounding Latin American countries, Peru and Columbia. I soon found out these were also the easiest place and the most difficult places to learn Spanish, but more on that later. 

My time in Ecuador made such an impression I will be returning upon graduation. The community and lifestyle stole my heart. These genuine people taught me so much about myself and showed pure hospitality welcoming me to their home. My host family, pictured below, was made up of hilarious, nurturing, respectful and hard-working people. I was very well taken care of and they are the reason my Spanish is so strong today. I am beyond grateful for them patiently practicing with me everyday. There were times we struggled with a language barrier in the beginning. We utilized google translate and body language often. During breakfast and dinner I told them what I was planning to do or did that day and they perfected my pronunciation and grammar. I could then speak on a more educated level to other friends and people I came into contact with that day. We eventually got to the point where I was telling jokes at the table too. 

The family I created among my peers was exceptional as well. We challenged each other‘s language capabilities and constantly shared advice and constructive criticism. We had an agreement that everyday divisible by 3 we could only speak Spanish with each other. We were a strong unit determined to educate ourselves and each other as much as we could with the little time we had together. Every day was spent adventuring and was given to us to learn and communicate in the moment. Our consistent desire to practice our second language brought us a vocabulary of new emotions and experiences the English language could never describe. The energy of the islands encouraged us to do what made us happy and to live with love and respect. Instead of asking yourself why you should do something, ask yourself “Por que no?” (Why not?)

When I returned back to the United States I continued my Spanish learning within the classroom at UofSC. I can only explain it by comparing it to getting glasses for the first time. I learned the majority of this language conversationally so when all the conjugation rules and grammar it all became so clear why I speak the way I do. I finally understood how to differentiate the proper tenses I should be using instead of just saying the words and phrases from experience and memory. Below I attached the notes from class that were big milestones in the learning of this language. Even though I already knew and spoke the words, conversations do not teach rules. Basically, I had been listening to and having conversations in which I memorized sounds, words and common phrases to implement in future conversations. Every encounter was a learning opportunity. This class turned these sounds into real words. This breakthrough gave me the capability to speak properly about all the excursions and memories I had just created in Ecuador. These lessons gave me the ability to clearly communicate on a more advanced level. Moving forward with learning this language has been so much easier because this class was a pivotal moment in my language development.

 I couldn’t stay out of South America for long, I was back within 7 months. Buenos Aires was very much the opposite of what I experienced in the Galápagos and that is truly what I intended. When I was searching for cities I wanted another coastal area. Even though I still had an ocean close by culture shock hit me like a ton of bricks. But that’s the fun part. The part that makes you grow. Shoving myself out of my comfort zone is something I enjoy doing and Argentina was definitely that. I wanted to challenge myself with taking classes in Spanish. Upon arrival I learned Argentina has a very different way of speaking Spanish than Ecuador. (Think British English vs American English.) These classes were far from my actual skill level, but I still showed up. I only understood every other word, but I still showed up. In the beginning, I couldn’t write or read in Spanish, but I still showed up. A question that still haunts me: “How did I pass the placement exam for this program?” The only logical answer is that I was just so meant to be there, in that situation. Everything happens for a reason and I needed those life and Spanish lessons Argentina taught me. I needed the reality check that I still had so much to learn. That there is still so much for me to grow into and become comfortable with. These classes taught the difference between conversational speaking and Spanish at an educated level. My grades definitely did not reflect what I gained from the courses but I have come to peace with that. Life wouldn’t be this much fun if I am great at everything I do. This exposure will help me in the future as I continue to meet diverse people and cultures as I travel.

I am grateful that I could experience a global classroom even while home at the University of South Carolina. My college, the College of HRSM, has the largest population of international students. I also involved myself in the Buddies Beyond Borders program, which paired be with a student studying abroad at UofSC. I also spent time participating in the Conversation Club that helps students practice their second language with native speakers of that language. I encourage everyone that considers studying abroad to do it. It is never too late. Both of these experiences were a part of my junior year. Both of these experiences were made possible by financial aid. If you want it, go and get it. Excuses are for the people that don’t want it bad enough.

Excuses build bridges to emptiness.

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