#bisonabroad

[bisonabroad]

“I absorbed everything into my heart where it helped me to self analyze and become more open-minded.” -Deborah Kanter reflects on a month spent in Madrid learning LSE (Spanish Sign Language).

[bisonabroad]

“I would rather recognize all the challenges in Spain as good ones, not as bad or negative ones.” -Esteban Kovacs reflects on a month spent learning LSE (Spanish Sign Language) in Madrid

[bisonabroad]

"... traveling should be required for all students to experience.”

ID: There is a white building with many windows and trees in front of it. 

         These photos were taken the first day of arrival.

ID: This photo shows a map of the world, with the route I took from Atlanta to Madrid. There is a small plane that shows my progress and how close I am to my destination. 

After spending one month in Spain, I have learned quite a number of things. To start off, I learned that traveling should be required for all students to experience. Many people may have a misconception that studying abroad is a vacation. If you are reading this, I am here to ensure you it is completely not. The amount of work you do will feel more than you completed during a regular semester at University. Working with thirteen other students with different personalities and needs in one group was challenging. With that being said, it was the greatest adventure. Immersing yourself in a different culture puts all your perspectives in another light. When you are put in a new location, unfamiliar environment, and learning a new language with a group of people you do not know well, you will be surprised how much can happen. 

For four weeks Madrid, Spain became my home while learning LSE (Spanish Sign Language) and learning about the Spanish Deaf community. It was fascinating to think about the similarities between Spain culture and Cuban culture back at home. The people were extremely friendly. Typically for American culture, there is not as much affection when greeting others. Greetings with Spanish people were commonly affectionate. The food tasted more fresh than American as well as tasted just like home for me. The environment was much cleaner besides all the cigarette smoking. I kept daily writings throughout the entire trip. The first week was pretty eventful with our academic director Paco. Some highlights were shopping at El Rastro (a market), having a sunset picnic at the Debob Temple Park, attempting boat rowing at Retiro Park, visiting the school Ponce De Leon, and traveling to Valencia. 

The Spanish Deaf community was a dream come true for me. Spanish and American Sign language was a connection and communication barrier with my family. Meeting the Deaf community in Spain felt like meeting family members missing my whole life. The Spanish Deaf community was filled with so much kindness and pride of their identity. Although we arrived with little LSE knowledge, my classmates and I were able to present to and interact with deaf individuals at the Deaf association. The connection and communication was there. Not only were there night long conversations that will never be forgotten, there was great growth practicing our LSE.

My conversations with these three women are unforgettable.

ID: There is a group of 5 women of various age, all are standing with their arms around each other with a smile on their face. 

Consisting mainly of classes with Professor Sete, and afternoon naps, the second week highlights were starting Theatre workshop with Professors Carlos and Jose Luis, the “Día Nacional de las Lenguas de Signos Españolas” National Spanish Sign Language Day, walks exploring the city, and turning twenty-one! The Prado Museum with history interpretations from Abel, a lot of theatre practice, an amusement park, and a day trip to Toledo summed up week three. Traveling to these cities were different than Madrid. Valencia held the beach and mountains side by side; the food and people were different compared to Toledo. Toledo was enriched with history all around. The cathedral was full of art and learning about how the designs around the city was showcasing the three cultures (Christian, Jewish, and Muslim) brought up there years ago.                 

ID: There is a round building made out of glass connected to a white round building by a white pathway. Surrounding the glass building there is a man made pool. The design looks futuristic. 

ID: This is a large stone building. There are impressive stonework and the sky is very blue with some birds flying. 

The first photo (on the left) was taken in Valencia. The other two are of the Cathedral in Toledo.

ID: There is a large wall carving made out of stones. The carving shows angels and people. There are tourists standing in front of the decoration. 

The final week was emotional. Madrid became a second home. Professors became like parents while acquaintances became friends. Over the course of the program, we all learned a crucial life skill on how to better work together in a team. Performing a play after a few weeks of learning the language was a grand challenge. In all aspects of this program, there was change. The biggest impact was growing as a person. I am not the same patient, shy, and open-minded person prior to studying abroad. My patience was tested various times only making me gain more. Shy is not a relevant word anymore, outgoing is. I assumed I was “open minded” only to be proved wrong. I became truly open-minded living in another country. Spending time with all the hardworking people including Dr. Pilar, Professor Gregoire, Paco, Professor Sete, Interpreters Manu and Abel, Theatre professors Carlos and Jose Luis, and my classmates, with learning a language and developing connections has benefitted me academically and personally. Pushing yourself to do things you have never attempted shows you there are no limits. I came back to America with some knowledge of working with my Deaf and Blind colleague, being able to communicate in a new Sign Language, understanding how to travel internationally, and a new meaning of what education truly is. Studying abroad in Spain has expanded my knowledge, mind, and heart.

This photo was taken after our performance on the last Friday in Spain.

ID: There is a group of students, some kneeling and some standing. All are smiling. All are wearing jeans and either a black or white plain t-shirt. 

[bisonabroad]

“This experience offered me the opportunity to meet Deaf people, explore new places and their history, and develop strong relationships with my professors and other students.”

Image Description: Inside a restaurant and group of students is sitting on both sides of a very long table. The students are looking at the camera and smiling.

This study abroad program was an important part of my college experience. It offered me the opportunity to meet Deaf people, explore new places and their history, and develop strong relationships with my professors and other students. With my classmates, we shared our experiences of life in the U.S., school at Gallaudet University, and American culture with the Spanish Deaf people and they did the same for us. This was very important for my degree plan at Gallaudet and my future career because I learned how to approach international students, people, and employees by giving them respect, acceptance, appreciation, and treating them with equality and I learned how to work as a team with my classmates. This experience helped me to increase my academic awareness.

Image Description: A group of six sits on a concrete ledge with the city of Toledo behind them. Professor Pilar Pinar is on the far left and Juan is the third from the right. Everyone is smiling.

My classmates and I went to Toledo to explore their history, religion, and tradition. It was interesting to learn more about those topics. We learned about the history of these topics and I understood why it is good to analyze things like that. I enjoyed trying to uncover the mysteries I encountered. It helped me to increase my skill for analyzing new topics.

Image Description: Juan smiles on the left, next to him is one of his LSE professors, Sete, and then two of his classmates from the Madrid program. All are smiling.

[bisonabroad]

“This experience made me made me think about my own values and how can I change them for the better.”

The Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy

I had never traveled out of the country before this summer. Italy was the first country I had wanted to visit when I finally got the opportunity to travel out of the country. The reason why I wanted to go to Italy first because that is where my ancestors came from. I wanted to see how my ancestors lived, I wanted to see what the country looks like, and learn about Italian culture. When I learned about the Siena School’s Deaf Studies program through a friend who went there the previous summer, I thought it would be a great opportunity because I would get to learn a new sign language, visit Italy, and experience living abroad. I always go for new opportunities, so I took this opportunity as a unique experience for me, especially because I would be traveling out of the country for the first time.

Duomo di Milano in Milan

When I first arrived in Italy, the bathroom was different from the bathrooms that I was used to in America. The Italians diet is light as opposed to American food. Air conditioning is not common in Italy. It was difficult for me at first since I have never traveled out of the country. However, it taught me a lot of things and made me realize how many things America has that Europe does not and made me appreciate where I live more. In addition, traveling out of the country has taught me how to travel better regarding what to pack, how to get to a destination, and how to prepare myself to be in another country and culture. Last but not least, this whole trip helped me to do a self-analysis. For example, the values the Italians have, such as the importance of family, have made me think about my own values and how can I change them for the better.

Corniglia (one of five villages in a coastal area called Cinque Terre)

In the program, there were a total of 44 students, including students from the University of Arizona, Towson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Gallaudet University, Italian students from Italy, professionals (who have already graduated college), and the list continues. As part of the program, we got to meet members of the National Deaf Organization in Italy. When we met them, we had already learned some Italian Sign Language (LIS), so our knowledge was put to use. What was interesting is that LIS was not recognized in Italy until the 1980s so many Italian Deaf people rely heavily on using oral communication while signing. We see less of this in America. We tend to see either American Sign Language only or deaf individuals who communicate orally only. It is not as common to see simultaneous communication (simcom).

Siena School Deaf Studies Program with National Deaf Organization in Italy

During our free time, we visited Milan, Cinque Terre, and Rome. It is interesting to see the differences between big cities and small towns in Italy. For sure there are a lot of tourists in the big cities, but there are few in the small towns like Siena, where I stayed for three weeks to study Italian Sign Language, Italian Language, Italian Deaf History and Culture. Because Siena is a small town, it allowed me to immerse myself deeply into the culture there. The Palio di Siena is a several hundred years old tradition in Siena, and we got to watch the Palio di Siena during our stay there. I will not say anything more about this old tradition because if you are interested in this, you should do this study abroad program and find out why the Palio di Siena is so cool to watch and experience!

A view of Siena, Italy

As a Deaf person, if you want to connect with an international Deaf community, the Siena Deaf Studies program gives you an opportunity to learn a new sign language and a few universal signs. After the program, you will be able to communicate with several international Deaf communities, not just the deaf community in Italy because the program will teach you how to communicate with a person who signs another language.

Piazza del Campo in Siena is filled with people to watch the Palio di Siena

[bisonabroad]

Gustave Flaubert Quote: “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Gustave Flaubert

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION; Large snowy terrier mountains are far spread in the background. The sky is hued blue. There is mist cloud wandering beyond the terriers.]

[la-azucar-morena]

SHE'S BAAAAAACK!! this year I'll be more disciplined & consistent w. my YouTube channel🙏🏾 but first here's my VLOG from my weekend stop in London🇬🇧 I'll be posting more of my European escapades soon so make sure you s u b s c r i b e 🖤 · · · · #elmundoesmio #travelblogger #shantishenanigans #london #studyabroad #aifsabroad #bisonabroad (at London, United Kingdom)

[veronicagarnett]

Yesterday I explored the Waitomo Glowworm, Aranui, and Ruakuri Caves. They say if water drops on you, especially on your head or shoulders, it means good luck. Well I'm one lucky woman! 💦🍀| @blackadventuristas #blackadventuristas #spelunking #caving #adventuretravel #experientialtravel #soloadventurer #howardalumni #hbcusabroad #bisonabroad (at Aranui Cave)