Fresno State Athletics
Smith Ready to Study Abroad in Spain
5/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
May 26, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Jennifer Smith always wanted to participate in the study abroad program but she never thought she would go through with the idea, especially once she started playing lacrosse this year. But after a road trip in March, Smith went into the office to fill out the paper work. Once approved, Smith began her preparations for Spain. She leaves May 27.
"I was actually going to go this fall but lacrosse came out of nowhere," Smith said. "I decided I was going to play lacrosse this season and summer just seemed like the right time."
Smith had an option to go too just about anywhere in Europe but she chose Spain because "it was really rich in culture, art and history. I hear the nightlife and the people are great over there."
Smith, a junior team-captain on the Bulldogs 2009 inaugural team, will spend the majority of her time in Madrid and she will be staying with a host-family.
"I think it will be great for me to learn the language and emerge myself in the lifestyle," Smith said on staying with a host family.
The study-aboard program will be five weeks and Smith hopes to not only tour Spain but take trips to Italy and Germany. She will take a Spanish class Monday through Friday for a little over an hour. But after that class it will be all free time for Smith.
"I know there are a lot of tours," Smith said. "I will be seeing a lot of cathedrals and museums. On a weekend I want to go to Italy and I have a friend in Germany. I am hoping to travel around while I am there."
While Smith says she isn't artistic she admits she does have an appreciation for the arts. She has enjoyed her humanities classes she has taken at Fresno State and in high school. She is currently taking a flamingo guitar class.
"I have an appreciation for that," Smith said. "I hope I can see some of that in real life."
A big challenge for Smith is learning the Spanish language. She took Spanish in high school but most of it has left her. To prep she is now listening to interactive CD's and she has flash cards she studies from. One area Smith is trying to become better at is remembering the verb tenses.
"It is not going to be the real thing until I get there," Smith said. "Hopefully I am prepared enough to find transportation to where I need to go when I get off the plane."
As Smith gets closer to her May 27 departure date she is being asked if she is nervous. While she is mostly excited, she admits there is a little nervousness that creeps in because of the unknown awaiting her.
"I am a little nervous because I don't know where I am living or what the family is like that I am living with but it will be a fun experience," Smith said. "I am excited to meet new people and ready to challenge myself. I am excited to grow and learn the language. I hope I can come back to Fresno and work with that community. I am a Health Science major and a lot of that application is towards Spanish speaking people."
Stay tuned to Gobulldogs.com for updates on Smith's trip to Spain. During her five week study abroad she will keep Bulldog fans updated one-to-two times a week on how her trip is going.
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