John Spieth
First and last name: John Spieth
Year in school: Senior
Major: Marketing
Home city/state: Winnetka. IL
1. Where did you work?
I studied abroad in the Fall of 2004 in Madrid, Spain with Syracuse University.
2. What was the title of your position?
Student
3. When did you work there?
I studied abroad there in the fall of 2004.
4. What did you do?
I studied business and spanish in Madrid, Spain for the fall semester. I participated in Eurovision (1 of 3 orientation sessions offered). It was a 2 week program that looked at the European Union and businesses in Europe. We started in Amsterdam and went to Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain visiting different businesses such as Nestle, Heineken, Air Bus, the WTO, UN, Moet and Chandon, Daimler Chrysler, and more. I also took 5 courses abroad, 2 in spanish and 3 in English. I lived with a host family in Madrid and went to school with other studnets from the United States.
5. How did you hear about this position?
I heard about the study abroad programs from the study abroad office and from talking to other studnets at Santa Clara.
6. How does what you learned through this experience relate to your coursework and/or career goal?
I learend more about myself and the world in one semester abroad than I have in my 3 years so far at Santa Clara. I learned a lot about another culture and business in Europe. Learning spanish and feeling comfortable reading, writing, speaking, and understanding it was my primary goal that was succesfully accomplished. Learning spanish is related to my career goals because I would like to return to Madrid one day to work. I learned by traveling to 10 countries in Europe, visiting over 10 businesses, living with a host family, speaking spanish, and immersing myself in another culture. My experience in Eurovision (orienation before my studies) was related to my career goals because I am interested in international business and being able to read, write, speak, and understand spanish. The combination of opportunites to work abroad, travel, coursework, and the enviroment can be combined to meet any career goals you have.
7. How did this experience help you develop your skills and abilities, your personal qualities, your values and perceptions?
Studying abroad developed my spanish, cultural awareness, and international business.
8. What did you learn about yourself that surprised you?Learning another language abroad is easier than learning a foriegn languge in the states. I was suprised on how fast spanish came back to me and how fast I learned spanish abroad.
9. How would you describe the value of this experience to other students?
If there is one thing that you do in college, study abroad! It was one of the best choices I have made at Santa Clara.
10. What advice would you give to students interested in doing this?
a. Find out what your goals are and what you want to study and then pick a location. I would recommend going to Europe if you want to learn another language, travel a lot, and learn about different cultures.
b. Talk to students who have studies abroad and find out why they went and what they got out of it.
c. If you want to learn a language go to a country where you will be immersed in it!
d. Study Abroad
e. Study Abroad
f. Study Abroad
