By Ariana Juarez
Ariana Juarez is a Gallatin sophomore. She traveled with Gallatin Office of Global Programs on the Islamic Spain course in Summer 2022, led by Professor Mehmet Darakcioglu.
My first ever study abroad experience was at the end of my freshman year, when I decided to take a chance and go to Europe for the first time to learn about Islamic Spain. I had never taken a class about Islam, never traveled out of the country on my own, and had no idea who I was going to meet along the way. I figured taking a month-long course would be a way for me to dip my toe into the pool of studying abroad; I couldn’t have made a better decision for myself.
Taking a Gallatin Summer Travel Course gives you the opportunity to explore a topic that will develop your concentration in surprising ways as you learn through everyday activities more about the site you visit. Even though I am Hispanic, I still learned a new dialect of Spanish and was enchanted by the week-long field trip around Southern Spain. I was able to refine my concentration from environmental law to discard studies because I became intrigued by the culture of cleanliness and beauty standards in the different cities I visited. The length of the course was actually short enough that I was dying to go back and explore another city. I came back to Spain and stayed in Barcelona for a week with my mom, eating more delicious food and exploring the architecture of Antoni Gaudí.
The coursework was balanced with rich readings, field trips to museums, and visits to archaeological sites that preserved centuries-old history. Practically speaking, it added a whole new range of works to my reading list that I could reference in the future. The class was structured like a typical Interdisciplinary seminar: Highly discussion-based and open to moving in the direction that the group takes it. This made interacting with the history of Islamic Spain much more interesting. I’m not someone who explores history for fun, so I was highly surprised when our discussions continued beyond the classroom at dinners and on subway rides.
The smaller group size meant we had group dinners and outings where everyone got to know each other more intimately and meet people in and out of their own school. I have kept in contact with two amazing friends from the trip and still say hi in passing to everyone else from the group. Without the support of the professor who led the course and the NYU Madrid leaders, the experience would not have been the same. Everyone you met at NYU Madrid was welcoming, kind, and most of all, their authentic selves. They could openly speak about differences in culture and their experience growing up in Madrid. They are all very accessible and easy to talk to, which speaks to the course itself and the nature of studying abroad in general. Not only have I revisited Spain with my mom, but I am preparing to study at NYU Buenos Aires for the Spring 2023 semester. If you’re considering a summer travel course or studying abroad in the future, take the chance. It is beyond worth it.