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Amy Vander Heiden
Amy Vander Heiden is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Spain.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
On two separate weekends, my host parents took me to the countryside (campo) to pick mushrooms (buscar setas). We grabbed the necessary basket and small knives, donned our coats, and walked to car to drive out of Segovia and into a different world of rolling hills and livestock. My host mom squealed with delight every time she found a "good" mushroom (there are "good" and "bad" mushrooms to eat), while my host dad silently inspected, cut, and added the mushrooms to his basket. After returning to the house, my host mom soaked them and tossed them in with a marvelous scrambled egg dish to make a delectable lunch.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I knew I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country as soon as I came to CSB/SJU because I wanted to cement my knowledge of another language. I chose Spain because I wanted to compare it to my previous experiences in Latin American countries.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
Studying in Spain was a linguistic, cultural, and changing experience that people should take advantage of. It was a unique, blessed time in my life, where I could experience new places, people, and ways of thinking. Everyone should step out of their American box sometime. Now is the time.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
I embrace living more. I take time to check in with family and friends that I haven't spoken with in a while, and I just spend more time with them. I feel happier in my own skin because I indulged a part of me that I didn't fully realize I had.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Have an open attitude when studying and traveling abroad. Don't set expectations. Go with the flow, laugh about everything, and rely on your (new) friends to help you.
Do you have questions about studying abroad in Spain? Email Amy at akvanderheiden@csbsju.edu.