Nathan Stewart

Program:

• SA: CASA Seville: University of Seville

Ask me about...

• Being abroad for the first time.

• Living in a homestay.

• Volunteering abroad.

• Major in Hispanic studies while abroad.

• Studying abroad while pre-med.

• Studying abroad as a FGLI student.

• Studying abroad with an LGBTQ+ identity.

My Experience Abroad:

I've taken Spanish coursework since starting middle school, and I've always wanted to be able to speak Spanish at a high proficiency level because it is the second most spoken language in the US and also because no one in my family speaks another language. Thus, when I came to Penn, I decided to also pursue a major in Hispanic Studies so I could continue improving my Spanish-speaking skills. Furthermore, I wanted to gain a first-hand experience in a country that speaks Spanish so I could get a fully immersive experience with the language while also learning about the local culture. Not only that, but I am currently applying for MD/PhD programs, so I also want to be able to employ my Spanish-speaking skills in the clinical and/or research spaces. These are just some factors that made me want to study abroad, and I'm glad I did because I feel a lot more confident in my Spanish-speaking abilities. Overall, my experience abroad greatly helped me make progress toward my academic and professional goals related to speaking Spanish, especially as a non-native speaker.

Other Highlights:

• My homestay with the sweetest host mom ever.

• Greatly improving my Spanish-speaking skills.

• Leaning all about Spanish art and architecture (coursework and in-person visits/travels).

• Going to Feria (week-long festival in Sevilla).

• Making lots of friends and experiencing so much with them!