Kiersten Snyder

Kiersten Snyder spent her six-week study abroad experience in over fifteen different cities in Spain during the summer of 2015. During the majority of her stay, Kiersten attended daytime classes at the Universidad de Salamanca Pontificia and evening classes through Duquesne University. During these classes, Kiersten became very engaged in the language, conversation style, and culture of Spain. Through her studies, she became particularly interested in Spanish architecture, which she regularly examined and wrote about while on her weekend excursions. Kiersten graduated from her Spanish university with a 9/10 score, which deemed her as “proficient” in the Spanish language. She could not have achieved this without the extra help of her host family. Kiersten lived in a Spanish family’s home during her international experience. The family spoke little English, which greatly helped Kiersten learn even more about the language and culture. Kiersten and her family spent a lot of time together, whether they were cooking tortilla de patata, a classic Spanish dish, or just relaxing and watching a Spanish voice over version of Gunsmoke.  While in one of her favorite towns, Salamanca, Kiersten became involved in a youth mentor program. The children in the program often had behavioral or family issues. Kiersten was matched with a ten-year-old boy named Hector. Kiersten and Hector had an absolute blast together. They often drew pictures, worked on school activities, played soccer, and thoroughly discussed Minions and Pokémon. Although Kiersten was supposed to be teaching Hector Basic English, Hector definitely taught Kiersten all about Spain. This trip reconfirmed Kiersten’s desire to want to work with and help children in other countries. Since her visit to Spain, Kiersten has been researching mission trips in Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries as she hopes to volunteer in an orphanage next summer.