MLO 5 Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion
Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Hispanic cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed personal understanding and new perspectives of Hispanic communities.
Note: Students develop intercultural communication skills and strategies, and learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. This MLO may be fulfilled by a study abroad experience or equivalent. Courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward another MLO. Students who choose Pathway 2 will be working on a community project to fulfill this requirement.
Under this criteria, I spent a year studying abroad (AY 2016-2017) in Granada, Spain. While I was there, not only did I study but I volunteered at local schools and got involved with local organizations. I made many friends and had the opportunity to spend the holidays with a Spanish family to learn about their customs and traditions.
Under this criteria, I spent a year studying abroad (AY 2016-2017) in Granada, Spain. I took culture, literature, and language classes. I worked extremely hard to fully immerse myself in their culture. I would meet weekly with Spanish students who wanted to practice English. When we would meet, they would teach me more about the Spanish culture, their education and their lives. It was a great experience to learn about the differences we have. For example, the way we greet other people when we see them In the US we shake hands, give a hug or just say it verbally. The way we say hello completely depends on how well we know the other person and how professional we must act around them. In Spain, you greet everyone, and I literally mean everyone, with a kiss on the left cheek followed by a kiss on the right cheek. Many of my friends spent their Winter break traveling to other European countries. Although that sounded extremely fun, what I really wanted to do was celebrate the holidays with family. Thankfully, one of my Spanish friends was kind enough to offer me that opportunity (without me even asking). She wanted me to meet her family and learn about how they spend the holidays. I spend two weeks with her family. I only ate home-cooked meals, watched TV with her parents while she worked, learned a traditional dance, ate a traditional Christmas eve dinner, and spent it with family. Although this wasn’t my blood family, this is my Spanish family. I learned so much through them and I am forever grateful for the fact that they let me stay with them. Not only did I try and meet as many Spaniards as possible, I also tried to get involved in the community. While I was there, I volunteered at local elementary schools. Twice a week, I would go teach English to 2nd and 3rd graders. It was extremely fascinating to learn about their educational system. It’s something that you wouldn’t think is that different from country to country, but it in fact has its own differences. I also loved getting to know the children because I got to learn many colloquialisms that are used at their age.
My year abroad was by far the best year of my college career. It was a year of growth and newly found wisdom. I have immersed myself in the Spanish culture, their linguistic environment, and I have a new understanding of the Spanish community.
Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Hispanic cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed personal understanding and new perspectives of Hispanic communities.
Note: Students develop intercultural communication skills and strategies, and learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. This MLO may be fulfilled by a study abroad experience or equivalent. Courses taken in a study abroad program may count toward another MLO. Students who choose Pathway 2 will be working on a community project to fulfill this requirement.
Under this criteria, I spent a year studying abroad (AY 2016-2017) in Granada, Spain. While I was there, not only did I study but I volunteered at local schools and got involved with local organizations. I made many friends and had the opportunity to spend the holidays with a Spanish family to learn about their customs and traditions.
Under this criteria, I spent a year studying abroad (AY 2016-2017) in Granada, Spain. I took culture, literature, and language classes. I worked extremely hard to fully immerse myself in their culture. I would meet weekly with Spanish students who wanted to practice English. When we would meet, they would teach me more about the Spanish culture, their education and their lives. It was a great experience to learn about the differences we have. For example, the way we greet other people when we see them In the US we shake hands, give a hug or just say it verbally. The way we say hello completely depends on how well we know the other person and how professional we must act around them. In Spain, you greet everyone, and I literally mean everyone, with a kiss on the left cheek followed by a kiss on the right cheek. Many of my friends spent their Winter break traveling to other European countries. Although that sounded extremely fun, what I really wanted to do was celebrate the holidays with family. Thankfully, one of my Spanish friends was kind enough to offer me that opportunity (without me even asking). She wanted me to meet her family and learn about how they spend the holidays. I spend two weeks with her family. I only ate home-cooked meals, watched TV with her parents while she worked, learned a traditional dance, ate a traditional Christmas eve dinner, and spent it with family. Although this wasn’t my blood family, this is my Spanish family. I learned so much through them and I am forever grateful for the fact that they let me stay with them. Not only did I try and meet as many Spaniards as possible, I also tried to get involved in the community. While I was there, I volunteered at local elementary schools. Twice a week, I would go teach English to 2nd and 3rd graders. It was extremely fascinating to learn about their educational system. It’s something that you wouldn’t think is that different from country to country, but it in fact has its own differences. I also loved getting to know the children because I got to learn many colloquialisms that are used at their age.
My year abroad was by far the best year of my college career. It was a year of growth and newly found wisdom. I have immersed myself in the Spanish culture, their linguistic environment, and I have a new understanding of the Spanish community.