Lily Andrey ’27 had always defined herself through words. As a dedicated writer, editor-in-chief of Franklin & Marshall College’s “The College Reporter,” and head tutor at the Writing Center, her voice was central to her identity. When she spent a semester studying abroad in Granada, Spain, she found herself feeling untethered from communication, uncertain of how an unfamiliar language shaped who she was as a person.

As she navigated a new linguistic world, Andrey reconstructed her connection to expression from the ground up, giving her a brand-new appreciation for dialogue.

“My relationship to language and communication drastically changed. I fell in love with language in a different way,” said Andrey, an American studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major. “‘Language studies will change your life.”

Read Andrey's firsthand reflection on how studying abroad transformed her perspective on language, reshaped her understanding of self-expression, and inspired her post-graduation career goals in teaching English as a Second Language.

 

As told by Lily Andrey '27

People asked, “Why are you in Granada?” and I quite frankly did not know.

I wanted to study abroad; I knew that. And I wanted the challenge of using a different language; I knew that too. My majors, American studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, allowed for a lot of flexibility as to what program and country I decided on. But in all honesty, I picked my study abroad city relatively on a whim. 

Unlike some of my peers, I did not have a strong reason as to why I chose Granada. But now, I can list 500 reasons why I would choose Granada every time. 

Granada is in the Andalusian region of Spain. It's about four and a half hours south of Madrid and about an hour north of the coastline. The former palace of the Nasrid Dynasty, the Alhambra, is the most notable attraction of the city. The historic districts are a beautiful mix of North African, Islamic, and Christian influences, accumulated through centuries of various rulers. I love my American studies degree, but I was eager for a semester in which I could study different cultures and identities. 

I studied art history, watercolor, literature, and Spanish in my classes. I studied topics I otherwise would never get to study in the same way in the U.S. I had the privilege of visiting private art collections for class, exploring the Alhambra multiple times, seeing the house that inspired “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” (a play by Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca), and so much more. I found new connections to different sides of my creativity. I now carry a sketchbook with me – that's something new. I remembered that I love writing poetry. It was so freeing learning something new every day without worrying about a letter grade. I lived at a slower pace; it forced me to act with more intention, and it was a challenge. 

I spent most weekends in Granada – I did not want to leave. For students studying abroad, I recommend really exploring the country you are living in. I think it's better to explore one place in depth than to visit a different country every weekend. As romantic and fun as that experience sounds, you will just end up exhausted and fail to really explore the place you visited. My program advisers encouraged us to be travelers, not just tourists. By the end of my program, I had visited about 10 different cities in Spain. Southern Spain, northern Spain, and even the eastern coast of Spain are vastly different – I had no idea before I visited. 

My experience was not without challenges. While abroad, I had no personality.

I am a writer. I am editor-in-chief of “The College Reporter” and head tutor of the Writing Center. I love writing little poems and long-form research papers. My understanding of English and my ability to communicate with others is intrinsically linked to who I am as a person. And in Spain, I did not know the word for fork. It was so difficult trying to find my place in a new environment when I did not know the local language. I was much quieter, more observant; I did not know how to be myself. 

I improved. I learned to express myself more, although I am still unsure if I could make a joke in Spanish. Upon return, I realized I do know more Spanish than I thought because the Granadino accent is notoriously difficult.  

My relationship to language and communication drastically changed. I fell in love with language in a different way. Language studies will change your life. You can share your life with so many more people, and it’s so special. My experience with language acquisition inspired me to get my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification and teach English as a second language once I graduate. 

Upon returning home, my friends and I discussed how hard it is to answer the seemingly simple question “How was study abroad?” Because our most cherished memories, what we miss the most, are not the flashy answers. I miss wandering through the Albacín after class. I miss breakfast from my favorite Palestinian cafe. I miss passing a man on a stoop playing flamenco. I miss my program adviser I would share story drafts with. I miss having shared meals with my dormmates at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm. I miss my favorite bench in my favorite plaza. I miss people watching in that spot. I just miss walking through a city that would take my breath away on a random Tuesday. 

As much as I miss Spain, I have returned with a greater appreciation for my F&M community. Studying abroad does not just expose you to new cultures but also makes you critically think about what you love about your own. While abroad, I was always reminded to try new things, be bold, and have confidence I wouldn’t normally have. But I don’t see why those attitudes have to be abandoned upon return. F&M is a small place, but its smallness is not a burden. Instead, I think it proves the importance of talking to new people, people you may otherwise not, because the world is quite large and we are lucky to have a small community. The confidence gained abroad and a willingness to be open enriches your experience on campus that much more. 

My time in Spain did not feel like a temporary adventure of undergrad, but instead something that changed my perspective on my life, my goals, and how I want to exist in this world. It was the beginning of something new and a window into what I want for my future. 

So if you're thinking about studying abroad, the obvious answer is you must.