¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? My name is Lota Agbim, and I am a rising junior pursuing a degree in Global Management and Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh. On campus, I serve on the Marketing Committee of the Pitt Business Review Club, and I am also the Creative Director for the African Students Organization’s annual fashion show. I am extremely excited to share my journey abroad in Spain with you all!
When I saw the Pitt in Spain Panther Program, I knew it was the perfect study abroad trip for me. I chose this program because I have been taking Spanish classes since high school and have continued taking language classes throughout college. I was unsure if I was ready to study abroad for an entire semester, so when I saw this four-week program abroad, I was ecstatic! I knew participating in this program would immerse me in a culture I have been learning about for years. I have always wanted to travel to Europe, and when this opportunity arose, I jumped at it! Spain is such a beautiful country, and I am thrilled to experience life there for a while.
As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, I was raised in an environment that consisted of a blend of diverse cultures. I knew that by participating in this program, I would get to experience a culture that I am not used to. For example, I have been told that the culture around personal space is different in Spain than in America. I also know that their dinner time is quite different than what most Americans are used to, and that nightlife can run much later than one might expect.
While in Spain, I will be taking Intermediate Spanish 4 as well as Traditions of Spain: Oral Communication. Taking these classes will allow me to fulfill my foreign language requirement as a Global Management and Marketing double major. Taking Spanish classes in Spain and learning the gorgeous language from native speakers will not only give me a better understanding of Spanish culture but will also challenge me as a student since I will also interact with locals daily.
My goals for this program are to leave Spain with a better understanding of Spanish culture, the Spanish language, lots of pictures, and a ton of gratitude for being part of such a wonderful opportunity. A few souvenirs would not hurt either! I cannot wait to share more of my trip with you all. ¡Adios!