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“I’ve learned to cook,” exclaims Tatiana, self-confessed shy girl. “Tortilla de patatas – aka Spanish omelette – is delicious! I’ve also learned to bake pastel de nata, a Portuguese pastry which I can share with my new friends.”

Having spent a semester at a university in a “charming and friendly” town about an hour from Barcelona, gastronomic delights like Spanish omelette aren’t the only things that Tatiana has developed a taste for.

“I built deep, lasting relationships with a small group of like-minded people who helped me manage the process. I’m quite shy. Studying abroad gives students like me opportunities to develop new skills, communicate with locals and students from other countries, adapt to new environments, and solve problems.

Tatiana in the grounds of a Spanish landmark.

“Studying at the University of Vic, Central University of Catalonia, pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me to grow, it was transformative. The benefits of studying abroad outweigh the challenges, such as homesickness and cultural adjustment.”

Let’s rewind a little.

When her younger brother was born, a captivated Tatiana wanted to better understand how young people develop physically, emotionally and intellectually. And she found the ideal course at Edge Hill: the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. The course explores the nature of childhood, how it’s been shaped by wider social and cultural influences, the latest developments in the field, and how we can positively influence the life experiences of very young people. It also throws light on alternative theories which allow students to consider the experiences of young children and families internationally.

Tatiana’s course, then, included the opportunity to travel abroad. She surprised herself – shy, remember – by taking up the offer. She’d started learning Spanish in her first year, so chose Spain. It was ‘the best decision [she] ever made’. She felt herself developing physically, emotionally and intellectually, with the added bonus of improved culinary skills.

Tatiana with a Spanish tower in the background.

Studying abroad helped me see the world differently. It was the best decision I ever made. Living in Spain, I could hear other people talking in the language. I could go to coffee shops or grocery shops, and talk with the staff in Spanish. There’s more than one language spoken in Spain, though, and in Vic and Barcelona they speak Catalan.”

She also saw child development from another perspective:

“In the UK, there’s an education policy framework that’s developed at the national level. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have a national curriculum, while Scotland has its own curriculum framework.

“Spain has a decentralised educational system, and regional governments have a great deal of autonomy. A variety of curriculums, resources, and approaches to childhood education exist in each autonomous community as a result. At Vic U there were two nursery rooms, where students have practical lessons with young children, and I saw how the educational environment is organised. I worked with local students, which was fun and interesting. I’m now part of a diverse international group of like-minded friends. It’s been amazing to get to know these people, an experience that I’ll always remember.”

So the key takeaway, as Tatiana found, is that studying abroad isn’t all about study.  It’s important, of course, but it also opens other doors, to cultural and social experiences which will broaden your mind, develop your confidence, increase your independence, and most importantly, give you memories that will stay with you for a long, long time.

Tatiana embraced the daily hora da siesta, when everything closes down for an extended lunchtime. And with the majority of stores closed on Sundays, she learnt to find alternatives to shopping on Sundays:

Tatiana enjoys a sunset swim.

“I’ve seen and done a lot of things for the first time in Spain. Hikes in the mountains, swims at sunrise, the most beautiful sunsets, lovely friendships with local people, the Spanish carnival, Easter picnics, travelling together to other cities and towns, and also travelling solo. And I loved stand-up paddle boarding – an amazing experience!”

And Thursday nights became a fixture in the calendar, the time Tatiana and her friends cooked and ate together:
“We saw that we’d get more out of this if we mixed cultures. And we’re making plans for the future – it’s amazing how we now have this bond.”


Tatiana and friends enjoy a Spanish meal.

Now in her final year back at Edge Hill, Tatiana’s not only expanded her learning, but also her mind: enjoying siestas and testing her newly-acquired culinary skills out on housemates, while embracing fresh experiences and whatever mañana brings.

Find out more about Early Childhood Studies at Edge Hill University

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