Annie Mraz ’25

Program: Spain Semester

Major: Psychology

Minor: Hispanic Studies

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you decide on this program?

I decided to study abroad because I wanted a different cultural experience and because prior to going I had heard amazing things from alumni and current students about the study abroad experience. My minor is Hispanic Studies, so I knew I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your program that made a lasting impression.

One cool cultural experience I had while studying abroad was being able to volunteer with kids with ASD at an organization called Autismo Sevilla. This organization was very cool and I was able to volunteer through a class I took abroad. I volunteered once a week, and being able to volunteer and interact with the kids in Spanish was a very cool experience.

Based on your experiences abroad, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

Some of the benefits of studying abroad are being able to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, being able to experience new cultures, food, languages, holidays, and customs, and being surrounded by a foreign community that is so friendly towards you. Studying abroad has contributed to my personal development by challenging myself in a foreign country and being able to learn more about myself. It has contributed to my academic development by allowing me to learn so much about another culture and practicing my Spanish and interpersonal skills abroad. It has contributed to my professional development by gaining volunteer experience in a completely different culture.

What advice can you offer for CSB+SJU students who are considering or planning to study abroad?

I would say to start off – it’s totally worth it! All of the experiences and memories you’ll make abroad are worth way more than any money you think you’ll spend. I’ve made some of the best memories of my life abroad and experienced some of the most unique things abroad – all while learning so much about different cultures and myself while traveling.