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Exchange Q & A with Carson Beck

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain (Spring 2025)

When and why did you decide to go abroad, and how did you figure out where to go?

Around my second semester at SFU I decided I would like to go abroad as I wanted to explore and experience something different to the Canadian life that I had grown accustomed to. I decided on Spain and Madrid because I knew that I would like to practice Spanish and because I wanted to be in a vibrant metropolitan city.

Where did you stay while you were there?

In a student shared apartment near the city centre.

What preparations did you have to make before you went abroad?

Some of the preparations included: getting a visa, finding a place to stay, organizing flights, selecting classes for while I would be away and informing important parts of my Canadian life, like friend and my work, that I would be away. At time it felt like a lot of work and stressful, but little by little I could work towards something that I was extremely excited about.

What were some of your most memorable experiences?

There were so many incredible experiences while I was abroad that it is difficult to just name a few. I enjoyed meeting people and making friends who were from different unique parts of the world and getting to share the learning experience of living in a new country with them. I enjoyed going to local events like soccer games and festivals that helped give me a true Spanish experience. I will never forget all the different cultural exploration moments my exchange was filled with, from eating traditional dishes to exploring historical villages. I also made many memories through the events hosted by the exchange student network in Madrid.

How did your time abroad enrich or add to your knowledge of Geography? Were you able to apply things you learned at SFU while abroad?

I think that going abroad is one of the best ways I could enrich my knowledge of Geography. Exploring a completely different place that has a different language, climate, and lifestyle has connected to so many different geography courses I have taken. I think I learned the most by living so close to a European urban centre — in comparison to the suburbs where I live here. Furthermore, I think living in Spain specifically, I was able to learn the impact that the climate and place has on ones lifestyle.

What I learned at SFU was certainly applicable while I was abroad. On one hand, they were able to support me in the upper level classes that I took while I was away. On the other hand, they played a big part in my successful adaptation to the new lifestyle as geography classes I have taken at SFU often are not only related to Vancouver.

Did you have a favourite course you took while abroad?

All the courses I took while I was abroad were great but I really enjoyed my Demography class and Global Environmental Challenges was a close second! Overall it was really interesting to learn from perspectives that differ slightly to those from SFU!

What advice do you have for other students who are considering studying abroad?

Studying abroad is a big step and no easy task, but if you are seriously considering it, then there is a good chance it will work out well for you! There is a lot of adapting and changes that you should be ready to embrace — everything from course selection to housing — but in my opinion, that is what Studying abroad is all about. For a successful study abroad experience I recommend finding the balance between thorough planning (especially regarding the pre-departure things) and openness to exploring new things! I think it is a fantastic opportunity to grow yourself while learning from knew perspectives that you may not have experienced otherwise!