In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, ISEP took the opportunity to sit down with one of our alumni, Rodrigo Sanchez, and discuss how his study abroad experience was different due to his cultural background. You can read the the full interview below:
Stewart: What year did you study abroad?
Rodrigo: I studied abroad in the Netherlands in 2018
S: What was most impactful about your experience studying abroad?
R: It was really diving deep into a different culture. I already have diverse experience with two cultures being Mexican-American so seeing European and Dutch culture was very interesting. It was a cool way to compare and contrast a different culture and community, as well as see what aspects I would like to adopt and what reaffirmed the parts of my culture that I really enjoy and value.
S: Do you think the experience was different for you based on your heritage?
R: I think having experience with a different culture mad culture a lot easier for me. I was already used to navigating multiple communities, so it was easier for me to ease into a new community and try to learn in different styles, as well as the social aspects. Other than that, I think it also gave me a different perspective. Culture has always been really important to me, so it allowed me to absorb everything as an observer and a guest in the country.
S: Did your study abroad experience impact your understanding of your own culture?
R: It definitely made me realize certain familial aspects of my culture. Family and the way we interact with our family is so important to us. So seeing a different form of individualism was really interesting to me. Seeing the different way they connect with their family, the difference from an intergenerational household was huge and helped me understand something I really love about my culture.
S: Is there a special value in studying abroad for Hispanic students or other students with diverse backgrounds?
R: Our community tends to get wrapped up in our own culture. Its great to see a different style of living and broaden our perspectives a little bit more. In the same way that our values can be a way to uphold us, there are times when they can manifest in a way that’s not healthy. Also, professionally we only have a couple of narrow ways that are open to us. So it was helpful to disconnect from the U.S. system and seeing how the Netherlands put such a different emphasis on different industries, being able to see these opportunities, opportunities I wouldn’t have considered twice at home. I really valued both the cultural and the professional aspects, getting to be away from that familiarity.
S: Finally, is there anything you would like to say about your study abroad experience?
R: I tried to plan my classes around subjects I was really interested in. Each country had such diverse cultural classes or technical classes, so getting that freedom to choose really made my study abroad experience enjoyable. Many of the countries are so close by, that you get to travel across a lot of Europe.
