Sierra Sanchez 鈥�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 鈥榗ulture shock鈥�?
"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.
