NEWS

Student N-san stayed in Granada, Spain for about one month and participated in a Spanish language program at the Language Center of the University of Granada. The opportunity came from a comment by N-san’s mother: “Since you’re studying at APU, why not challenge yourself and try studying abroad?” N-san was not particularly enthusiastic about studying abroad at first, but after taking Spanish I, decided to take part in the program. There was no specific goal at the beginning, but in the end, the experience brought major changes not only in language ability but also in personal values and self-understanding. Please enjoy reading N-san’s study abroad report from Granada, Spain.

A Day in Granada

On weekdays, I attended Spanish classes from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the language program. In the afternoons, I joined activities organized by the University of Granada, such as exchange events with local students, flamenco performances and workshops, and excursions around Granada. In the evenings, I had dinner with my host family after 9:00 p.m., chatting in Spanish with my host mother and flatmates. On weekends, I either joined bus trips to cities such as Seville and Córdoba or spent time exploring Granada at my own pace.

A Memorable Experience ── The Moment Language Became a Connection

At the beginning of my stay, I could hardly speak or understand Spanish, and there were difficult moments. However, as classes continued, I gradually became able to communicate with my host mother. Whenever I tried to use vocabulary and grammar that I had learned in class, local people often appreciated my effort, and those small moments gradually built my confidence. I could really feel that “what I didn’t understand yesterday became something I understood today,” and that motivated me even more to continue learning Spanish. One of my memorable experiences was practicing Spanish together with my American flatmate, who was participating in a program from another university.

What I Learned and Changes After Returning Home

Living in Granada allowed me to experience everyday life in a different culture — bright streets even after 8:00 p.m., elderly couples talking for hours at terrace cafés, and Arabic-style streets hidden just beyond the main roads. Through these experiences, I realized that ideas about society and values are not absolute, but relative. After returning to Japan, I decided to continue studying Spanish II and also finally made the decision to pursue graduate school, something I had been unsure about for a long time. Adapting to an unfamiliar environment and language gave me confidence to face future challenges.

A Message for Students Considering the Program

Living in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new language enriched my life and gave me confidence and self-esteem when thinking about my future path. I never expected that just one month during spring break could have such a significant impact on me. Granada also has large temperature differences between day and night, so I recommend bringing clothes that you can easily layer, as well as a pillow that you are used to using. At first, you may feel nervous, but the happiness of gradually being able to communicate will definitely turn into confidence. I encourage everyone to give the Spanish Language Immersion Program a try!