Exploring Business Through Study Abroad in Pamplona, Spain

I am happy to share that I recently completed my semester exchange at the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, and returned from 5 months abroad… thankfully in one piece. Studying abroad was an amazing opportunity I was blessed to have. My time abroad was filled with immense self-reflection and personal growth along with improved cultural competency, business skills, and language learning. Being home for some time, I’ve had a chance to reflect on this experience, and I wanted to share all that I have learned.

Navigating Business Courses in Spanish:

One of the most exhilarating aspects of the study abroad experience was enrolling in business courses taught entirely in Spanish.

My host university's renowned business program provided an exceptional platform to deepen knowledge in various areas of commerce while simultaneously honing language skills through immersion. While initially challenging (and honestly very scary),? this immersion proved to be a fantastic opportunity to enhance language proficiency and gain insights into the local business landscape. From Family Business Management to a class entirely dedicated to case studies, each course brought a unique perspective on global business practices. The exchange of ideas with fellow students, both local and international, also fostered a collaborative and enriching academic environment.

Although it may have been a bit bold of me at the time to think I could handle core business courses with local students with no previous exposure to business concepts in Spanish, I was not afraid to be seen trying.

I was working double-time practicing business frameworks and strategies while learning new professional Spanish terminology. Every. Other. Sentence. I was afraid to work with my classmates and have them find out I was a poser, an American taking classes without understanding anything. To my surprise, my peers were supportive of my efforts and applauded my bravery. Being vulnerable, and accepting there were things I knew and things I genuinely didn’t allowed my teams to not only leverage each other’s strengths, but create a space for immense collaborative learning. It was Neale Donald Walsch who said: life (and learning) begins at the end of your comfort zone, and I definitely was far outside mine. I am proud to share my accomplishments, but want to note that I never would’ve known what I was capable of until I believed in myself enough to test my limits.?

Cultural Immersion and Exploration:

I would be lying if I said I only spent my time abroad in school. Outside of class, my study abroad experience extended far beyond the boundaries of Pamplona. Over the course of the semester, I chose to visit six different countries and explore over 15 cities, each offering its own unique blend of culture and history. From solo traveling in Paris to a pasta-filled trip to Florence, these cities became classrooms without walls, bringing European history to life.?

Aside from experiencing cities I hadn’t even dared to dream of, I was most proud of my decision to study in Pamplona.

It all started when I was an incoming freshman. I knew I wanted to study abroad; I just didn’t know how many times. Although my academic advisor entertained my wishful thinking, going abroad multiple times ended up not being in the cards for me as I chose to pursue a dual minor in Spanish and Public Policy instead. Nonetheless, I still chose to apply to an abroad semester as a sophomore and chose to study in Pamplona instead of a major city. I chose every day to immerse myself in a language and culture that was different from my own and learned that each one of these choices had created my reality.

In the same way, I am continuing to choose to build my business knowledge as I start my private equity internship this summer and return to the 美国密歇根大学 - 罗斯商学院 as a senior in the fall. This past semester taught me the importance of taking purposeful actions. Being intentional about the rooms you put yourself in, the conversations you’re a part of, and the people you’re around.?

As I continue into the summer and my last year at the Ross, I look forward to trusting my abilities and testing my limits while consistently taking purposeful actions, and I encourage everyone reading this to do the same. I want to thank everyone that helped make this past semester an absolutely amazing experience and something truly unforgettable!?