My name is Cynthia Edwards and I am a Fulbright student studying Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Sociology. I went through the USAC program to study abroad in Alicante, Spain, which is on the South Eastern coast of the country during the summer session of 2018. I chose to study abroad because I knew that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would absolutely regret it if I did not go during my undergraduate career. I specifically chose to look at the difference between cultural customs and laws in Spain with comparison to the United States because they are vastly different, and I want to attend law school after graduation (yay more school)!
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| (Number 12 is where Alicante is) |
I first flew into Madrid for a three-day field study, where other USAC students and myself were able to go to multiple museums and travel to Toledo and Segovia. Personally, Segovia has been my favorite travel destination so far, because it is absolutely beautiful and full of amazing architecture and history. On the way to Segovia, we visited the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caído) which is a Catholic basilica and monumental memorial for those who passed during the Spanish Civil War. It has been a site of controversy since the memorial was eradicated by Franco, the dictator of Spain from 1939-1975. However, I found it to be a peaceful and beautiful site and a must-see if you are ever near Madrid.
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| (Valley of the Fallen) |
When I arrived in Alicante, I was a little overwhelmed because I had become accustomed to Madrid and it is entirely different than the culture and pace of Alicante. However, my host parents, Rosa and Pedro, really helped with my assimilation into the daily life here. Culture shock is real, and it did affect me, but now I love the city and plan on travelling to Amsterdam next week since I feel more comfortable with travelling in Europe now. My favorite part of Alicante and living with a host family is the FOOD. If you are thinking of studying abroad I highly recommend living with a family because they will treat you like one of their own, feed you amazing food, and tell you all the best places to go locally.
(Below is a picture of Paella, which was created in this area!)
If you are ever near Alicante, I suggest visiting the city of Altea, which is only a two-hour tram ride away and costs a whopping price of $2.30. It is absolutely gorgeous and reminds me of Greece with all of the white and blue buildings. It is a much quieter and slow-paced area with a beautiful beach and amazing restaurants. Perfect for a day trip!
Cynthia spent the Summer 2018 term in Alicante, Spain through USAC, with the help of our our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
