My name is Jemima Whiffen, as part of my degree programme, BA Spanish and Latin American Studies, studying abroad for a year was compulsory. I elected to study in Oviedo, Spain, opting for a quieter, less crowded city. Oviedo is the capital of the north-western Spanish region of Asturias, a coastal but also mountainous region with a vast wealth of medieval history, something which I regret not looking into further!
Paperwork nightmares
As I am sure many of those who have studied abroad can relate, however, studying abroad was not the easiest experience, and the bureaucracy certainly did not help matters. Consequently, arriving late in Oviedo because of visa struggles meant playing games of catch-up with registration at the university and missed classes. In reflexion, the whole process of obtaining a visa and the stress that came attached with it has put me off living abroad in the near future, however the whole experience has taught me valuable lessons that I can take into the future.
Working through the medium of Spanish
As well as working on the Year Abroad Research Project for the University of Southampton, I also had a wide selection of modules I could choose at Universidad de Oviedo. I was based at Campus de Milan, which oversaw departments for geography, languages, history and literature. In hindsight, I probably should have elected modules that closely resembled those I did at University of Southampton, but my thirst for knowledge drove me to expand my horizons. One module focused on European literature, looking at theories presented by Aristotle and Plato and examples of tragic plays such as Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. Another module looked at the history of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, which presented a challenge for my listening skills as the course was mainly taught orally. I struggled with this, but with perseverance and help from a friend I managed to pass. Another module looked into Portuguese history, another discussed various minority languages in Europe, and the final module was a Spanish course for international students, which reinforced concepts and themes I learnt before, and introduced me to some new vocabulary. All in all, it was an interesting experience, and I felt that with the language difference, I needed to learn at my own pace to understand the content of the modules. This did mean, however, that I probably did not dedicate as much time to working on the Year Abroad Research Project.
Making friends
Despite these complications, I believe my experience has been worthwhile. I endeavoured to practise my Spanish as much as I could and had plenty of opportunities, particularly at one of the churches which I attended during my stay. I was able to meet with many other young people at church, from all walks of life and several came from other Spanish-speaking countries, and I count several of them as my friends. I believe that I valued making memories with my friends more than having experiences. I was able to visit the art gallery with one friend and another taught me the basics of skateboarding, which I am determined to continue practicing.
Food for thought
My friends recommended that I sample the Asturian delicacy of cachopo, which consists of ham and cheese sandwiched between two fillets of local veal, which is then breaded and cooked to achieve a crispy outside and a soft, melty inside. It tasted amazing and it certainly quashed any superstitions I had about Spanish food being just paella, tapas and churros. Cider is also popular in Asturias, and what sets Asturian cider apart from British cider is the entire spectacle of serving the cider, where the waiter skilfully pours the cider from a significant height into the glass. It is quite the sight to behold!
Final remarks on my experience
I believe I will certainly make another visit to Oviedo, but on my own terms and when I’ve not got university work to worry about – or visas to obtain. I definitely want to visit my friends again and definitely explore a bit more, perhaps visit Oviedo Cathedral and hike some of the Camino de Santiago, a popular attraction for tourists. After all the world is vast and beauty can be found in the most unlikely places. The process of obtaining a visa may have partially put me off living abroad, but the experience of going to Spain itself has not put me off travelling entirely. I believe I have gained the courage to go out there and explore the world further. I hope this inspires you to do the same also – don’t be afraid to dream big and step outside your comfort zone. Even though there may be setbacks, struggles and mountains of paperwork, the experiences gained and the memories made are worth it.