Christina is a junior Spanish major from the University of Texas Austin. She studied abroad in Córdoba, Argentina in summer of 2006. As a Spanish major Christina knew that going abroad was the best way to improve her Spanish. When asked how she benefited from study abroad Christina says "Personally, I feel as if a whole new world has been opened up to me. I now have new family and friends and have seen places that I couldn't have imagined in my dreams. Academically, I feel that study abroad has enhanced the way that I think critically, alongside with improving my Spanish. Professionally, study abroad gave me a worldly experience that so many companies are looking for. Being able to understand what "international" and "diversity" mean, and the fact that I was taught first hand prepares me for the future job that I want."
Christina also talks about the challenges of study abroad saying "The first three weeks were the most challenging, I was in culture shock. It wasn't because I missed my family or friends. It had more to do with me being in a huge city, which I knew nothing about. I didn't know my directions; I couldn’t just up and leave the house because there was so much I didn't know. I didn't have any friends so I couldn't give them a call or go over. I felt like a little fish in an ocean, not knowing which way to swim. But after those three weeks, I began to make friends and get closer to my family- nothing could stop me then. I was comfortable."
As an African-American woman studying abroad in Argentina Christina was a minority within minorities. When asked if she felt comfortable as a minority abroad Christina says "I don't know if comfortable is the word. I mean you get used to it. When one studies in a country like Argentina that really doesn't have people of color, it is known (or should be), that you will have some attention whether it is wanted or not. For the most part, people are really curious; I was one of the only black girls walking down the streets in Córdoba. I know when we, as people, see something that is rare, it is normal to look, examine, and see what happens. I never felt like someone was discriminating against me. They were just curious and wanted to know about me. Let's just say I was a superstar walking on the red carpet 24/7."
What advice does Christina give to other students thinking about study abroad, "People say that studying abroad is a life changing experience, and they're right. But it means nothing if you don't have the experience yourself."
Do you want to share your study abroad experience with us? Email us @ info@diversityabroad.com
Christina is a junior Spanish major from the University of Texas Austin. She studied abroad in Córdoba, Argentina in summer of 2006. As a Spanish major Christina knew that going abroad was the best way to improve her Spanish. 
wing which way to swim. But after those three weeks, I began to make friends and get closer to my family- nothing could stop me then. I was comfortable."