“Going abroad alone for the first time can be intimidating, but it helped me to become closer to the people around me and enriched my experience abroad.”
~ Eliza Spakhat ’26
Eliza Spaatz (Class of ’26), a strategic communications major from San Francisco, took a winemaking economics course this summer with several of her W&L classmates at the Council for International Educational Exchange’s Business and Culture Program in Barcelona, Spain.
Why did you decide to go abroad during the summer vacation?
To make the most of my undergraduate years at W&L, I decided to participate in a summer abroad program. This opportunity allowed me to prioritize my academics, extracurriculars, and social activities while gaining international experience. I am grateful to the University’s Center for International Education (CIE) for helping students participate in summer programs. It was a great opportunity for me to maximize my education and expand my horizons to the world without missing out on on-campus opportunities during the fall, winter, and spring semesters.
What sparked your interest in winemaking economics and how has it applied to your academic pursuits?
The course “Wine Economics” was particularly impressive to me as I knew nothing about wine, the winemaking industry, or the importance of the industry. Furthermore, this course was not offered at W&L and it seemed like a natural choice to experience wine in Spain, a country famous for its winemaking traditions. Understanding business principles is essential for a minor in entrepreneurship. This course allowed me to gain an understanding of market trends, customer behavior, international trade, and finance in the winemaking industry. Throughout the course, I completed two analytical essays, a data-driven marketing pitch, a wine review, and a comprehensive final exam. All of these helped me gain the skills I needed for my major and minor.
When you traveled to Spain, did you have any summer goals you wanted to accomplish while you were there, like hiking or weekend getaways?
My trips and adventures in Barcelona were a mix of planned and spontaneous. During my second weekend in Barcelona, I took a weekend trip to Costa Brava with three other W&L students and two other program students who I quickly became friends with. Two weeks later, I joined my two other roommates from West Virginia University for a four-person trip to Mallorca and Ibiza. One of the great things about studying abroad in Western Europe is how easily you can travel to other destinations by subway, train, or short flight.
What part of this experience do you look back on most fondly?
I always look back on my time in Barcelona and think about the new friends I made there and the relationships I had previously strengthened. It wouldn’t have been the same without my friends from W&L and all the people I met along the way. Going abroad alone for the first time can be scary, but it brought me closer to the people around me and enriched my experience abroad.
What advice would you give to other students who want to do something like this over the summer?
If you’re still deciding whether to study abroad for a semester or spring semester, consider a summer study abroad. A 4-5 week study abroad period was the perfect amount of time for me to earn credits, learn about the city of Barcelona, and travel. I encourage you to consider a summer study abroad program too. If you decide later that you want to study abroad for a semester, that option is still there.
W&L’s International Education Center provides resources for students to plan study abroad experiences and find international internships throughout the year.
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