June 11, 2018
Life At Witt

"One Incredible Moment After Another"

Sierra Sanchez '19 Opens Up About Her Study Abroad Journey in Germany

Sierra Sanchez ‘19 is an English major and Spanish minor who studied abroad in Germany during the spring semester of her sophomore year through Wittenberg's Witt in Wittenberg program. She chose this study abroad program to experience other cultures, further open herself to the world and challenge herself to improve her German.

What was your favorite/most memorable experience?

"My study abroad experience through the Witt in Witt program felt like one incredible moment after another, but I think my favorite experience was visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I had wanted to go there since I was about ten, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. I still do not have the words for how I felt upon walking into the chapel of the basilica and seeing the light come through the stained glass windows--it was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen."

Do you have any examples of ‘culture shock’?

"In terms of culture shock, the hardest part was adapting to living somewhere where I did not speak the language. My German was practically nonexistent upon beginning the program, so it was a big adjustment to navigate daily life with what little German I knew."

How did Wittenberg prepare you for this experience, or what did this experience teach you about Wittenberg?

"There are so many ways in which Wittenberg prepared me for my experience abroad, but I think its commitment to learning about and respecting other cultures helped me the most. For my C credit, I took Cultural Anthropology, and that class greatly expanded my passion for understanding others. Wittenberg also does a great job of opening up conversations about engaging in a more global environment."

Sierra Sanchez '19
Major: English
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Franklin, Ind.

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About Wittenberg

Wittenberg's curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, Wittenberg has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The university has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, Wittenberg offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

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