“This experience has been priceless for my Spanish proficiency skills, as well as getting out of my comfort zone in a multitude of ways. I've also had ample amount of time after classes to put towards professional development, internship applications and refining technical skills,” reflected Theo Ruppe, a Spanish and computer science major who is currently abroad on the Discover with WorldStrides: Semester at Universidad de Granada program.
Ruppe is taking Hispanic Studies classes at the University of Granada that will transfer to his Spanish major at Ohio State. He’ll be in country enjoying new cultures and experiences until late May.
“I’ve wanted to study abroad for a while. Last fall, I decided to turn my Spanish minor into a second major alongside studying computer science. Since the Spanish major requires an immersive experience, studying abroad felt like the perfect way to fulfill that requirement,” said Ruppe.
The semester-long experience has provided Ruppe a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in Spanish culture, as well as an easy excuse to travel to surrounding countries.
“This experience has taught me that I’m more adaptable in new situations than I previously thought, and it’s also given me a new appreciation for some of the comforts of home, like how well American HVAC systems handle winter temperatures.”
“My most memorable moment by far was going to ski on the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which is right outside of Granada, with a group of friends from my program. Additionally, my weekend trips to Ireland, Poland and the Canary Islands have been incredible.”