The Professional Edge I Gained from Studying Abroad

By: Olivia Blake

This past summer, I had the opportunity to study in Spain for six weeks as an offering from Penn State’s Spanish department. I lived in a town called Ronda with 20 other students, stayed with a host family, and took classes at a local music conservatory. We stayed in a small, close-knit community, so we quickly learned our way around the streets, something that wouldn’t have been possible in a larger city. By the time we left, we knew our favorite places to shop, frequented the best restaurants and even became regulars at our nightly ice cream spot.

While our weekdays were spent taking classes and completing homework, we also had the privilege to travel to new towns on the weekends, learning the history of each place we went. In Ronda, we had free days to explore the town and spend time with our host families. We got to do things like hike to a waterfall, swim in the community pool or catch up on rest after a busy week. 

My time abroad was more than just an opportunity to visit interesting towns and important monuments. It also provided me with essential skills that I can incorporate into my professional career. 

Time Management:

I enjoyed my time in Spain, but I was there first and foremost to study. It was an accelerated academic program -we took nine credits in six weeks- so our school day was 8:00 am to 2:30 pm every weekday. I felt like I was back in high school. On weekends, although we had the opportunity to travel and explore, we still had to prepare for projects, presentations and exams.

Balancing rigorous coursework with a desire to fully experience each new location was difficult, but it forced me to develop my time-management skills. I would carve out time to study on the bus or leave dinner early to walk home and finish my assignments. While, at times, it was disappointing to pass up social plans, I understood the importance of staying on top of my responsibilities.

This opportunity taught me to manage my time efficiently and prioritize my tasks, skills that are essential in the fast-paced world of Public Relations. As I move into my career, I’ll be able to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines while maintaining focus and delivering quality work.

Interpersonal Skills:

When I stepped into the Newark Airport at the beginning of my trip, I was hit with a wave of anxiety. Although all of the participants were Penn State main campus students, I had never met a single one of them. So, I basically had to rebrand myself to every new person I met.

The same was true when I met my host family. I wasn’t just staying in a stranger’s home in a foreign country, it was also a Spanish immersion program, which meant I had to build those relationships entirely in a foreign language. 

As daunting a task as this seemed at first, it encouraged me to improve my interpersonal skills and learn new ways of communicating when I could not find the words I wanted to say. 

In the field of Public Relations, success depends on building strong relationships and communicating effectively across diverse audiences. Since not every group responds to the same message, PR professionals must adapt their strategies and use creativity to ensure their communication resonates. During this trip, I discovered how to navigate diverse perspectives and communicate messages that connect with different audiences.

Culture and Customs:

I was surprised by how much culture shock I felt. We had orientation classes every Thursday the semester before our trip in hopes to prepare us for the cultural shits, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how lost I felt on those first days in Ronda. 

However, by interacting with my host family and the locals in the town, I quickly adapted to the important aspects of the culture in Ronda. 

The first adjustment was their daily schedule. Our days would begin early and last until after midnight since the normal dinner time in Spain is 10 pm. There was also a break in the middle of the day during which businesses would close down for lunch with their families at home, so I learned to organize my days around the business hours in the town. 

Additionally, it is more customary to greet people – friends, family or strangers- with kisses on both cheeks. 

I experienced a bit of a learning curve when I arrived, but persevering through some level of discomfort was rewarding as it improved my adaptability. I intend to work in an international field, so this adventure taught me to learn and respect the customs of another culture. 

Studying abroad was one of the most difficult but rewarding experiences of my life. Not only did I leave with meaningful connections and incredible memories, but also with developed professional strengths that I can apply to my career. Plus, I will have some amazing stories to tell in interviews.