‘I walked in cities almost 2,000 years old’
Marcelina Martynek ’18 at the Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain, where various Spanish cities are displayed. Marcelina says her study abroad semester in Madrid during fall 2016 was “was one of the best decisions I ever made and I am so happy I took that chance.”
Marcelina Martynek ’18 says she is “always looking for something new, something different, something that I can learn from.”
The computer science major found all that – and more – during her study abroad semester in Madrid during fall 2016.
“There was one moment when I was traveling through Italy,” Marcelina says. “I was on the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was early in the morning and I was exhausted because I had gotten on a 5 a.m. train. But it didn’t matter; it was a moment of absolute bliss and beauty. I could see everything around me and I felt completely at peace. I won’t ever forget that moment.”
During her semester at Universidad de Carlos III, an engineering University in Madrid, Marcelina was able to complete one of her clusters, and take two other classes to satisfy requirements for her major.
Arranging her trip was relatively easy, she adds – “a solid 8/10 for how easy it was. I wasn’t worried or confused about what I had to do and if I did have a question all I had to do was shoot an email or go to the Center for Study Abroad Office in Dewey Hall and it was all taken care of. “ The staff members there were “all super nice and informative and they made the process easy and not stressful whatsoever.
As a result of her semester abroad, Marcelina says, “I gained a perspective that I couldn’t get anywhere else. I gained lifelong friends and memories. I walked in cities that were almost 2,000 years old at points. I listened to the ocean on multiple coasts and I saw the stars from the top of the French Alps. I gained a hunger to travel that will never for the rest of my life be satisfied and I know it will push me to be the best I can be and seek out new experiences for better or for worse. “
Her advice for other students contemplating study abroad?
“Do it. Absolutely take advantage of the programs at UR. A lot of students are worried that they’ll miss their friends or won’t be able to find the classes they need, but that is untrue! Take that chance to learn differently, see differently, and ultimately live differently. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made and I am so happy I took that chance.”
Marcelina Martynek in Segovia.
Views of Madrid, above, and Barcelona.
