NAME: Sophia Garske
MAJOR: Business Administration, International Business
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain
EMAIL: sophia.garske@sjsu.edu

“One of my favorite memories is from traveling through the south of Spain with a group of international students. Seeing new cities together bonded us in a unique way, and I still enjoy keeping up with their lives. We watched locals making art on the streets, listened to live Spanish music, and explored the city together. I never could have imagined any of these experiences before studying abroad- I didn’t plan it, some surprises just happened naturally. This is why I think everybody should at least consider studying abroad: you open up in a lot of new ways, and different places in the world start to feel like home.”

BIO: 

Navigating different cultures has been a part of my life since before I could logically understand what “culture” meant. My mother is Colombian and my father from the United States, meaning bilingualism has been a norm not only in my home, but in any environment I found myself in. Growing up, I had the luck of living in both the U.S. and Colombia. By the time I arrived in San Jose, I knew my time to see the world was not over, but only just beginning. Since my very first day on campus at orientation, the moment I met Julie and learned that studying abroad was an option, I was set. I had a deep understanding that, no matter what country I chose, studying abroad in college would be in the books for me. I was lucky enough that I could find scholarships to make this dream come true. I am extremely motivated by helping other students become aware of the many existing scholarship opportunities, and love when students reach out to me for tips about how to make the most of studying abroad! 

After participating in several outreach programs to speak on international education, I am excited to continue motivating others on this path. As a person who has deeply benefitted from the opportunities to study abroad offered by SJSU, including the phenomenal programs, guidance, and scholarship opportunities, I would be tremendously grateful if another individual could enjoy the same life changing experience.

 GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

My goals for studying abroad were to make the absolute most of the experience… Only, at first I didn’t have a plan, so I made a decision to take it one step at a time, and enjoy opportunities that were made available to me. Before going abroad, I identified scholarship opportunities. While abroad I said yes to volunteering opportunities. Then, I absolutely loved taking a class on the local language, Catalan. These three activities not only made my time in Barcelona unique and memorable, but also completely impulsed my career path. I encourage any SJSU student looking to add an extremely unique perspective on their resume to consider researching scholarships, volunteering or languages during their time abroad.

I was surprised to see how many scholarships are offered for study abroad students. By looking through the scholarships listed on the SJSU study abroad website and doing a couple Google searches, I was motivated to explore how much funding I could supply for my abroad experience. I ended up receiving the Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship and the Ling Scholarship, which I highly encourage students to check out, as they may be more accessible than people think.  

While abroad, volunteering allowed me to work on teams with local teachers and students, and see volunteering in a new light. The Fulbright Lectures in Catalan High Schools outreach program was so fun, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and speak to audiences of up to 90 students! During my job search, I was able to highlight on my resume that I could face new challenges, such as public speaking, and taught 460 students in Spain about international education opportunities. This is an advantage I believe students should be aware of- volunteering can be incredibly strategic for job hunting. Studying abroad is already such a point of intrigue when meeting new people, but being able to show your future employer how you apply your potential is a powerful bonus. 

One of my main goals was to learn the Catalan language. The next thing that surprised me was that taking a language class in a new country works one million times better than Duolingo, shockingly. I wanted to be part of the community that cared enough about Catalonia to learn, and take care of their language. I was excited, and deeply motivated, by the smile on people’s faces when I spoke to them in their language and fell in love with learning languages. I learned that language classes are a lot of fun, and give you the tools to connect with the local community with newfound confidence. Since studying in Barcelona, I ultimately became more sure of my decision to declare a major in Business Administration, International Business, and continue to make my experience abroad relevant to my professional life. Learning the Catalan language began as a small spark that over time led me to discover many aspects of myself, in a personal and professional sense, that were previously buried. My passion for learning languages was unexpected, and I am grateful to bring this with me in future professional, academic and personal endeavors.

In sum, students looking to make the most of their abroad experience, and especially those looking for a new advantage job hunting can look into scholarships, volunteering, and learning languages while abroad.  

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

I was immersed in an environment that I see myself in the long run: traveling through different countries, meeting different people, learning about the different experiences that people have based on their languages and places of origin. I met individuals who taught me about friendship, and why the people in our life are important. I discovered differences in how topics are discussed while I listened to educated, critical and points of view that were extremely new to me and different  to anything I had heard before. I experienced kindness and connection in every country that I went to, spanning from amazing conversations in Belgium, seeing snow with a group of friends Andorra (the country), or visiting Morocco and having a laugh (and panic) when our lovely tour guide laid in the middle of the street just to see us smile (we told him he shouldn’t do that).

All in all, the integration of the connection I experienced, and seeing how every person in the world just wants to feel loved, while all having different languages to express this has profoundly touched me in ways I don’t think I ever will understand. I just feel lucky to have lived, and experienced these beautiful people, and know that I bring this love with me wherever I go, no matter how my environment looks.

IDENTITIES: How did the identities you selected change or impact your study abroad experience?

My identity as “Colombian and American” experienced many complex shifts during my time abroad, as the language that I spoke in determined how people processed my actions.

When I spoke to people in Spanish, I experienced comments on my heavy Colombian accent, very different to the Spanish accent (from Spain). Many enjoy listening to the Colombian accent, yet in Spain there are many stereotypes on Latin Americans in general, and I received comments about documentation, deportation and to “be careful with police” on several occasions. These moments had a reverse effect in my brain, motivating me to share the beauty of Colombian culture and biodiversity, with the goal of giving others a new topic of conversation. I also grew to bond more frequently with Latin Americans from countries other than Colombia, including Peru, Chile, and Mexico, and enjoyed a sense of community and cultural understanding, while learning about the Catalonian culture which was new to all of us.

In hindsight, I had many positive experiences as a result of my culture, and can also reflect on the impact that ignorance and the propagation of stereotypes can have on seemingly neutral interactions. As always, I stand by the richness of culture present in Colombia, and I use my awareness of offhanded comments to craft new points of conversations with individuals from countries who also do not have the “best fame”, with the goal of uncovering the beauty within cultures that often go unnoticed.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?  

I took several GE courses while abroad, including Marine Science, Catalan language, Comparative Literature, and several others, and would describe this experience as enriching. This experience has impacted my academics in the sense that I am more grateful for the style of teaching and guidance practiced by teachers in the U.S. One of the main tips I would give to another student is to make sure their Academic Approval Form (AAF) is finalized before classes begin. Overall, my academic experience in Spain prepared me to navigate academics in a new, and more appreciative light of the system that exists in the U.S., as well as share perspective to guide other students planning on studying abroad. 

CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? 

 Through my experiences with scholarship, volunteering and language opportunities, I realize that studying abroad is a career enhancer when done right. I learned about intercultural communication, public speaking, problem solving and developing a strong mindset. I  sharpened my interviewing skills, by finding a newfound confidence in activities I have dedicated my time to, where I found that creating awareness on different opportunities and resources is very gratifying to me. Saying yes to new challenges abroad helped me to land an internship in a company I was extremely excited about, but knew was highly competitive. 

The Fulbright Lecture Series volunteering in high schools opened up several valuable opportunities to hone my public speaking skills, while sharing my knowledge on practical steps to studying in the U.S. for international students. I practiced educating myself on a topic- U.S. higher education opportunities- then speaking publicly on the subject in Spanish or English, with the average audience size being about 60 students. This experience was quite new to me, yet I know I will bring this ability with me to any room that I walk into. I discovered that I enjoy sharing resources with people, and continue to seek opportunities to do so on campus, such as the Global Ambassador program.

In sum, the skills that I acquired speaking and sharing resources in high schools abroad have equipped me with the public speaking abilities and drive to motivate others toward the path of international education, as well as helped me land internships that help me feel confident in my career path. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? 

 After engaging with the Catalan community, as well as other international students studying in Barcelona, I realize just how valuable an experience living abroad is for creating mutual understanding and empathy. In many cases, I noticed that the individuals who had previously experienced multiculturality tended to be open minded and accepting of others. I noticed how many naturally understood that “different” is not equivalent to strange, but actually an opportunity to become familiar with a different life experience, and even try something new. Going forward in my life, I hope to grow my engagement with individuals from cultures that I may not even be familiar with in this moment, to continue to grow my different interests, and even my ability to connect with people on different levels.

While abroad, I participated in several volunteering opportunities that were made available to me through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. The Reach The World organization and Fulbright Lectures in Catalan High Schools outreach program allowed me to raise awareness on international education among elementary and high school students in the U.S. and Spain.

Firstly, the Reach the World program allowed me to document my first months in Spain through articles that I sent every week to a fourth grade classroom. These articles have since been used in several elementary school classrooms to encourage global curiosity and empathy among young students. This program lasted throughout the duration of my first semester abroad.

During my second semester in Spain, I travelled throughout the region of Catalonia to speak in front of high school students, sharing my knowledge on higher education in the United States, and offering resources for those interested in pursuing this path. I visited 6 schools and spoke to up to 90 students at a time; in total, I reached 460 students. This experience motivated me to continue sharing resources for those interested in obtaining a global education. Interacting with students from different regions of Catalonia, and seeing how excited they were at the possibility of studying in another country was one of the most gratifying experiences from my time abroad.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? 

My experiences through studying abroad have prepared me to continue seeking opportunities on an international scale. This experience has made me sure of my decision to declare a major in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business, and based on the opportunities that have been made available to me, I am excited to continue learning about this path. 

One of the most exciting experiences I remember was being flown to Brussels, Belgium to attend a study tour of the European Union, where we met other Gilman Scholars and EU officials. The chance to attend this study tour felt like a profoundly touching gift, and knowing that these opportunities exist, I am prepared to open myself up to more in my future, choosing for example to study International Business, continuing to learn languages and make the most of the opportunities to travel abroad.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

Make the most of every opportunity, and give yourself grace in the process. Studying abroad creates access to a wealth of exciting opportunities, whether that be chances to meet people, participate in a scholarship program, or attend a new cultural event. This being said, there are moments where our familiar identities or understanding of life no longer fit where they are “supposed to”; in other words, uncomfortable and frustrating moments are completely natural. More than natural, these are the moments that ultimately give us tools to discover new parts of ourselves. Uncomfortability results, I believe, from experiencing potential that our brain does not yet have the tools to process. The beauty in this is that we are changing, and the way that a person changes during studying in a new country can feel so deeply rewarding in the long run and can open up a completely new and unexpected life path.