Full Name: Alex Sherry

UC Email: sherryal@mail.uc.edu
College: McMicken College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Mathematics
Title of Project: Spanish Language and Culture
Thematic Area: Global Studies
Expected Project Start Date: July 1
Expected Project End Date: July 28
1. Abstract
From July 1 to July 28, I plan to study in Spain. I will be enrolling in a four-week program with
CEA, an undergraduate study abroad program that sends students across the globe. My program
specifically is called Spanish Language and Culture. I will be studying at Antonio de Nebrija
University. My classes will total six credit hours during my four weeks there. I will be staying in an
apartment near the university. In addition to the traditional classroom education I will be receiving, the
program also allows for students to travel to other parts of Madrid or even other cities in Spain for outof-classroom learning. I plan on visiting the Spanish World Trade Centers in Madrid and Barcelona in
order to get a hands-on approach to my economics education. I also plan on watching the Running of
the Bulls in early-to-mid July. I will be documenting my studies in Spain in a journal in order to
reflect. I plan on creating a scrapbook with writing pieces included in order to share my experience
with others.
2. Connection to Learning Outcomes within an Honors Thematic Area
The listed learning outcomes for the Global Studies Theme are as follows:

Possess global literacy, including knowledge of geography, history, current world issues and
similarities and differences among cultures

The classes themselves will focus on Spanish language and culture, so I will receive an education from
a Madrid university on the subjects. The program will also take me on multiple excursions around
Madrid and to other parts of Spain to visit places of social, cultural, economical, historical, and political
importance.

Recognize the interdependence of world economies, political systems and the environment

I will be visiting the Spanish World Trade Centers in Madrid and Barcelona. The program designs
visits for students interested in seeing these centers, creating opportunities for an up-close-and-personal
style of learning. Through visiting two of the Spanish World Trade Centers, I will gain a better
understanding of the intricacies of the Spanish economy and will learn to relate it to the American
economy.
Interact with individuals from different cultures and express a sensitivity, appreciation and
respect for the complex range of experiences of diverse peoples
Attending classes at Antonio de Nebrija University will put me in direct contact with Spanish students.
This will lend me a better understanding of the lifestyle of Spanish citizens. Even further, the program
offers many social events in which international students spend time with Spanish students, allowing
for language to be practiced and for students of different backgrounds to better understand each other's
lifestyles.
Participate in a global society and understand the role of a global citizen

Once I get off the plane in Madrid, I will have begun participating in a global society. I will be
spending time learning about Spanish culture both through a traditional classroom setting and through
out of classroom experiences that include anything from seeing the Running of the Bulls to going to a
flamenco show. Immersing myself in Spanish culture will be different for me, as I have never left the
country before. However, in doing so, I will gain a better understanding of the world around me.
3. Connection to Goals and Academic Theories
This experience will contribute to my goals for the future in many different ways. The first
method is strictly academic: I am set on pursuing an economics minor, and I am strongly considering
pursuing a Spanish language minor as well. My experience will contribute to my economics education
through my visits to the Barcelona and Madrid World Trade Centers. I will be able to see international
trade first hand and will be able to take the hands-on knowledge gained back to Cincinnati to put to use
in my future economics classes here at the University of Cincinnati. The connection from this
experience to a Spanish language minor is obvious. First off, I will be taking six credit hours of classes
about Spanish as a language and as a culture. Furthermore, I will be immersed in Spanish language and
culture by virtue of living next to a Spanish university and interacting daily with Spanish citizens.
I will have to do very much studying in order to properly prepare for this trip. The most
pressing subject is Spanish language. I took five years of Spanish language from eighth grade all the
way through high school, so I have a decent base with which to work from. However, I will need to
review the language heavily in order to be able to communicate effectively with Spanish citizens. I
have a copy of 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher and Theodore Kendris, which I received during my
final year of Spanish in high school. It is a very useful reference tool for virtually all everyday verbs in
Spanish. I would also like to use Rosetta Stone for Spanish, as it is said to be a very effective tool for
learning a language. While having a grasp on the language is very important, learning about Spanish
culture will also be essential. In order to do this, I will read two books on Spanish culture. The first is
Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country's Hidden Past by Giles Tremlett. It covers many aspects
of Spanish lifestyle through the lens of the country's history. The second book I will read on Spanish
culture is The New Spaniards by John Hooper. This book is less about Spanish history and moreso
about everyday Spanish culture. I will also need to do some economics research before the trip. In
order to learn about Spain's economy, I will read The Internationalization of the Spanish Economy by
William Chislett. This book will introduce me to the Spanish economy, but it will also cover the issues
of globalization and a world economy, which are very relevant to the Global Studies learning
outcomes.
4. Initiative, Independence, and/or Creativity
I make this program my own through my focus on economics. The courses at the University
themselves are focused only on Spanish language and culture. Spanish economics, politics, and history
are all parts of possible excursions organized by the program. However, I will elect to focus primarily
on Spanish economics in my non-language and culture studies. My visits to the Spanish World Trade
Centers will be preceded with the above-mentioned book The Internationalization of the Spanish
Economy, so I will be prepared to maximize the learning I can take away from visiting these economic
hubs.
5. Reflection
I will be using a journal for reflection. Each night I will document the events of the day. I will
then reflect on what I learned from the day's events. Questions I will ask myself will include:
Did I learn something new from what I did today?
Did I become more ingrained in Spanish culture today?

How would this day be different if it took place in an American city?

Which subjects from today should I delve into further independently?
What will I focus on trying to learn about tomorrow?
How should the way I go about my day in Madrid differ tomorrow?
How can I apply the information from my readings to the day's events?

6. Dissemination
I plan to create a scrapbook to share my experience with others. I will be taking pictures at
every site I visit, which will include but not be limited to Antonio de Nebrija University, the Running of
the Bulls, and the Barcelona and Madrid World Trade Centers. At each of these significant locations, I
will write a short piece to accompany my pictures to better share my thoughts and memories from each
place. I will share this scrapbook first with my family and my high school Spanish teacher, but then
with the University Honors Program and possibly any Spanish classes I take in the future. I will also
share the scrapbook on my Facebook and Twitter, thus reaching out to those I am connected with
online.
7. Project Advisor
Silvia Martinez is the director of the CEA's program in Madrid. She was born in Cadiz, Spain
and has also lived in the United States, leading her to become fluent in both Spanish and English. She
organizes and oversees these trips to Madrid and keeps in close contact with the students while there.
Silvia has a degree in Tourism Management from the University of Alcala. Her email is
s.martinez@ceastudyabroad.org.
8. Budget
$4695 price to enroll in program (food and housing included)
$95 application fee
$300 confirmation deposit
$499 Rosetta Stone