What is your favorite travel memory?
In the summer of 2015 I traveled to Cuba in a completely unplanned adventure with a friend. From the minute we got off the plane we had to start figuring out what to do, where to stay, where to go, and how to get there (always complicated).
We spent two weeks traveling the island (bus, scooter, truck, car, anything would do!), and discovering truly amazing places and people. We met Cubans who invited us to their homes, shared the little food they had, showed us around, and told us their amazing life stories.
This trip fully opened my mind to the world and everything it has to offer, and made me realize how isolated we are in our daily-life bubbles.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current institution?
Being involved in study abroad and international education with Arcadia is an opportunity for never-ending growth. I keep learning so much from my students and myself. I have learned to appreciate the differences in all of us, and our common traits.
My “wanderlust” and my curiosity to learn about other cultures and peoples have definitely increased. I keep discovering amazing places in my hometown (where I work) and learning about my own culture thanks to my job.
Just like the students do not return home being the same person they were, I am changed myself by sharing and partaking in their daily struggles, successes, frustrations, and achievements while abroad.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
What I really love about this job is to see my students' personal growth over a semester. I have seen students completely change their career paths (towards international education) after one semester with us.
Others return home only to find new places to travel to and live in. A former student discovered her two passions while in Granada; she returned home to put them both into work: she earned a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Colombia, where she is currently also involved in community service and environmental campaigns.
What makes your institution unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
The human factor at Arcadia is of the utmost importance. We are a team of enthusiastic professionals, passionate about our job and what it entails, and we strive to make our students' experience abroad a memorable one.
We genuinely care for each one of our students and are determined to provide them with the tools and guidance to make the most of their time with us. At the same time, we want them to be independent, leave their comfort zone, and discover the world and themselves through this journey. I am proud of our daily hard work and commitment, of our ability to empathize with our students, and to instill our passion for foreign languages and diverse cultures.
The Arcadia difference starts from the moment the student inquires about a program, to the minute they set foot in-country, and through their full stay.
We genuinely care for each one of our students and are determined to provide them with the tools and guidance to make the most of their time with us. At the same time, we want them to be independent, leave their comfort zone, and discover the world and themselves through this journey.
I am proud of our daily hard work and commitment, of our ability to empathize with our students, and to instill our passion for foreign languages and diverse cultures.
Why choose Granada as a study abroad location?
As opposed to a big metropolis like Barcelona, Granada is an extraordinary city, and objectively one of the best destinations to study abroad. It is a safe, friendly, and manageable university city with a fascinating cultural mix.
Students go into almost full immersion, as they have many opportunities to interact with the local community, while experiencing not only the typical southern Spanish culture but also the influences from North Africa. It is a perfect place to experience Spain and its multi-faceted culture, while improving Spanish, no matter the level of proficiency.
Arcadia Granada offers an amazing study abroad experience in cooperation with the Universidad de Granada and its world-renowned Centro de Lenguas Modernas. Students will develop an in-depth appreciation and understanding of Spanish culture, history and way of life through the many lively excursions and enriching on-site study experiences organized by enthusiastic faculty and staff at our Granada center.
After a semester with Arcadia Granada, you will be forever changed, and will carry this city in your heart, feeling forever connected.
