Instituto Franklin-Universidad de Alcala

I am very thankful for my experience at Instituto Franklin - UAH. I graduated in 2025 with a master's degree in ESL and Bilingual Education. This degree has opened up doors for my career and has benefited me greatly. I would like to highlight a very important leader in the program, Iulia. She helped me navigate my time abroad as a young and newly single mom. We had very difficult circumstances occur while far away from family and Iulia did not hesitate to help us. I am so thankful for her. I don't know where we would be today without her help!

I had the most amazing experience here at the University of Alcala Instituto Franklin. I took four 3-credit courses in the spring semester. All of my professors were really engaged and informative on the material and were passionate about what they taught. I enjoyed the out-of-classroom experiences included in my classes as well. The four-day set up was nice as well to enjoy our weekends and explore the country and other areas of Europe. I would recommend Alcala to anyone wanting to study in Spain. The staff was extremely supportive and helpful whenever I had a question or needed assistance.

The program exceeded every expectation I had and ultimately became one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic career. What made it so special was the way it successfully combined education, cultural immersion, and personal growth into one experience. Too often, study abroad programs can feel either overly academic or overly focused on tourism, but this program struck the perfect balance between the two. I was constantly learning, both inside and outside the classroom, while still having the freedom to explore new places, meet new people, and fully enjoy my time abroad.

One of the strongest aspects of the program was its structure and flexibility. The schedule was organized in a way that allowed students to stay engaged academically while still leaving room for independent travel and exploration. Because of that flexibility, I was able to travel almost every weekend, which significantly enhanced the overall experience. Visiting different cities and regions gave me a much deeper understanding of the culture, history, and diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Every trip became an opportunity to practice my language skills in real-life situations, whether that meant ordering food, navigating transportation, speaking with locals, or simply engaging in everyday conversations. Those moments often taught me just as much as the classroom did.

Academically, the program was both challenging and rewarding. I learned a tremendous amount throughout my time abroad, particularly with my Spanish language abilities. Before the program, I felt reasonably confident in my Spanish, but living in an environment where I was consistently hearing and speaking the language every day accelerated my improvement dramatically. By the end of the program, I noticed major gains in my fluency, comprehension, and confidence. I became far more comfortable speaking spontaneously and communicating in situations that would have intimidated me before. The immersive environment made learning feel natural rather than forced, which was incredibly valuable.

Beyond academics and travel, the people involved in the program made the experience even more memorable. The instructors and staff were supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. They created an environment where students felt encouraged to step outside of their comfort zones while still feeling supported throughout the process. I also formed meaningful friendships with other students in the program, many of whom shared similar interests in travel, language, and cultural exchange. Those relationships added another layer to the experience and made every excursion, class, and activity more enjoyable.

Overall, I cannot recommend this program highly enough. It proved that learning and fun do not have to be mutually exclusive and that the best educational experiences often happen outside of a traditional classroom setting. I left the program with stronger Spanish skills, greater independence, unforgettable memories, and a much broader perspective on the world. It was an experience that challenged me, helped me grow personally and academically, and gave me opportunities that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Being a Biology and Spanish double major, it was great to dive into a culture that I was unfamiliar with. What I loved the most about my experience was visiting the places I learned about in my classes, going to the museums to see the paintings we talked about, and participating in activities which are part of the Spanish culture. Along with this, just walking around town, going to different cities, and interacting with native speakers is something I really appreciated, even in the classroom. This helped me develop better proficiency in the language and some people even think I am a native speaker now!

When you are a Bulldog at Butler University, it’s hard to leave your vibrant campus life behind for a full semester. Still, choosing to study abroad became one of the most rewarding decisions of my college experience.

Thanks to Calie Dickey and staff at Butler's Center for Global Education, the decision quickly became a no-brainer. I took my international business and Spanish studies from our campus classroom all the way to Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Living life as a Madrileña, every day brought something new. Spanish language immersion was central to my goals, and living with my incredible second family as a host daughter in their home became the most impactful part of my experience.

My family welcomed me into every part of their lives - their gastronomy, daily rhythms, friends and family, evening street culture, and cherished traditions. I learned that Spaniards can always find something to celebrate. During my time abroad, three things stood out:

• Discomfort turned into confidence
• Curiosity turned into cultural exploration
• Strangers turned into family

As a student at the Instituto Franklin-UAH, I was challenged in nearly all Spanish-speaking courses and connected my daily experiences with coursework in Spanish poetry and traditions. I also completed a marketing internship with local business Buceo Alcalá, where I grew as a professional in my secondary language - proving to myself that growth lives on the other side of discomfort, even amid cultural and language barriers.

The International Business major in me was eager to absorb everything around me. Before I departed, even my former colleagues at Eli Lilly and Company were excited to send me off. I was later invited to visit our Government Affairs team at the international office in Alcobendas, Spain, an unforgettable opportunity to see one team working across seas. My time with Teresa Millan and her team Cristina Escudero Marquez, and Claudia Penzol López will always be cherished.

Now back in Indianapolis for my final semester as a Butler undergraduate student, the golden question remains: “Do you miss it?” And while yes, I miss the adventure, the unknown, and the beauty that is Spanish living, I am grateful to be home. I smile with contentment for the life-changing memories and apply my broadened perspective to my life every day.