The Spanish Portfolio Project
This portfolio sets out to document my work in the Spanish Major and how it relates to my personal, professional and intellectual goals. While it is organized in a way that corresponds to the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning, it presents my achievements and milestones chronologically. The principle behind this organizational structure is that it charts my progress in a way that highlights the constant development of my goals and attitudes relating to my study of the Spanish language.
Throughout high school, proficiency in Spanish class came quite easy to me. Though the curriculum never really challenged me, I rarely strived very far beyond what was expected by my teachers. When I reached college, Spanish classes seemed like a good way to earn a Minor and get some elective credits at the same time. During my first two years at Richmond, Spanish was a skill that, to me, had no real practical application beyond the classroom.
All of that changed, however, with my decision to study abroad during the Spring of my junior year. As a result, in the last twelve months, a newfound frame of mind has prompted me to reevaluate my personal, professional and academic goals.
Early last January, I boarded a plane destined for the small town of San Sebastian, Spain, commencing a seven-month journey that would change my life, as I knew it, forever. Naturally, the notion of living in a foreign country made me a bit nervous, as I had never before ventured beyond the comfortable boundaries of American soil. Beyond my anxiety, though, sat an overwhelming sentiment of excitement and anticipation. I was eager to experience what adventures awaited, excited to meet new and interesting people, and enthusiastic about exposure to cultures different from my own.
Needless to say, my initial contact with Spanish society was characterized by a certain degree of difficulty. A study abroad partnership enrolled me at the Universdad de Deusto, a prestigious Spanish University that offered classes in only two languages- Spanish and Basque. I was placed a flat in the city with three other exchange students, two French and one from Quebec, meaning that Spanish and French would be the primary means of communication between the four of us. Furthermore, few people in the town spoke English well enough to carry on a conversation beyond a simple exchange of pleasantries. While I had taken several Spanish courses prior to my departure, my speaking abilities spanned no further than functional classroom knowledge.
Nevertheless, I embraced the opportunity to integrate with the local population. From the day I arrived, I made a conscious effort to put myself in direct contact with the people and situations that seemed most foreign to me, rather than cling to elements of American culture that were so familiar. This meant visiting local restaurants to enjoy authentic foods, rather than taking a trip to McDonald’s for a hamburger. It meant frequenting the plethora of “hole in the wall” Spanish and Basque bars, instead of the token Irish Pubs, where American tourists tended to congregate. Most importantly, though, it meant breaking out of my comfort zone and speaking Spanish with as many locals as possible.
In hindsight, my experience abroad could not have been better. My complete immersion in the rich Spanish and Basque cultures exposed me to new viewpoints, values and traditions. Since my return to the States, I have not only gained a profound understanding of and appreciation for the Spanish way of life, but I also have broken free of the “American myopia” that I now see as all too common among many people here at home. As a result, I have taken on an improved perspective on my own culture.
It is this newfound perspective that has sparked a series of modifications to my personal, professional and academic goals. Immediately following my semester at Deusto, I was fortunate enough to secure an internship with a logistics company in Madrid, rather than pursue a traditional summer position in finance back home, as I had originally planned to do. Furthermore, I since abandoned my plans to study finance at Richmond, and now plan to graduate with majors in both international business and Spanish.
Overall, my experiences completing the Spanish major have not only developed my skills within the language, but have also helped to enhance my studies in other disciplines as well. Most significantly, this carries over into my primary Major, which is now international business. As globalization continues to facilitate doing business worldwide, I more and more view my languages skills and my experience abroad as an invaluable asset in the business environment.
After graduation, I plan on attending law school, where I hope to spend at least one more summer studying in Spain. Based on my experience thus far, I am confident that the experience I have abroad will prove to be enriching in all aspects.