Studying Spanish gave me the opportunity to spend a year in Spain, which I had always wanted to do! If I am honest, I think this is why I started to learn the language and study it at University, as the thought of the year abroad greatly appealed to me!

I spent the first months in Córdoba, Andalucía. I lived in a Hostal in the heart of the Judería, the Jewish qurter with an Andalucian family. It had a typical 'patio Cordobés' and I couldn't have chosen a more typical Andalucian place to live! I met many new people while I studied at the University here and had many opportunities to travel all around Andalucía which to me is 'typical Spain'! I arrived in Córdoba alone without knowing anyone and even though I was very nervous, it gave me a lot of confidence and these days, I wouldn't think twice about travelling alone to places as it provides you with many great experiences. Without studying languages, I don't think I would have had the confidence to go alone to a foreign country.

I then had the opportunity to apply for a place as an Erasmus student at the University of La Laguna in Tenerife. I was one of two people chosen in my year to spend 6 months in Tenerife. It was a totally different experience to the one in Córdoba. Here, I lived in halls, and whilst I had to attend university for 6 hours per day in Córdoba, here, they were so laid back and normally, we had about 4 hours of classes a week! The teachers were very young and they often picked us up to go to the many Erasmus parties that were being held nearly every weekend! There was a very Canarian feel in La Laguna but also, a very international feel with all the Erasmus students! It was like one long holiday! It was interesting to see the differences in language and accent between mainland Spain and the Canaries-for example-'bus' on the mainland is 'autobus' but in Tenerife, 'bus' is 'guagua'! La Laguna is in Northern Tenerife, and is typically Canarian, unlike the Tenerife that so many people think of (Playa de las Americas!). Although-we did go there quite often! We also had the opportunity to visit the other Canary Islands and we travelled all around Tenerife as it is a very small and beautiful island-and very hot!

After graduating, I then taught English in a nursery school in Madrid for a year, which was again, a different experience living in the busy capital of Spain. I taught the daughter of the footballer Luis Figo and I also met Raul, the Real Madrid footballer whose daughter also attended the nursery. I had an amazing time. Madrid is a great city-the city that never sleeps!

I would strongly recommend people to study a language as you have many great experiences