By Janice Sheffler, C 05

“There is room for studying abroad in every major, during any semester.  There are all kinds of different programs around the world that are able to accommodate any needs a student has,” says Saint Vincent College senior communication major Sarah Bachner.

During the spring semester of 2004, January through May, Ms. Bachner immersed herself in Spanish culture.  For those four months, she studied in Seville, Spain, at the Universidad de Pablo de Olavide. 

Ms. Bachner was a part of a program that focused on integrating American students into the Spanish culture through classes that emphasized the language as well as the history of Spain.

The program that Ms. Bachner was enrolled in is Cultural Experience Abroad (CEA).  The program provided her with a package including food, a place to live while in Spain, excursions, hotels, and other activities and necessities during her time abroad.

In order to prepare for her semester abroad, Ms. Bachner was required to take intensive language courses in Seville.  The intense language course was not much of a challenge for Ms. Bachner who has already had 12 years of Spanish before even leaving the United States.

While she was not in the classroom studying about the culture, she was actively participating in what Spain had to offer.  She had the opportunity to travel to cities such as Madrid and Granada.  Ms. Bachner also rode horses through Aracena and visited the wine vineyards in Jerez.  

Throughout her stay in Seville, Ms. Bachner learned to enjoy the European life-style.  She says, “The Europeans are very laid back and know how to really enjoy life.  Sometimes we tend to lose a lot of that laid back attitude in America with our fast paced lives.  It was nice to relax.”

Another aspect of Spain that Ms. Bachner found to be different from American culture was work style.  “Europeans work to live, not live to work.  Their life is not centered on their career and their careers do not always equal status.  They just work to survive and enjoy life; that is very comforting.” 

Ms. Bachner is also a self-proclaimed “language nerd.”  In addition to being nearly fluent in Spanish, she has also studied Italian, French and Korean. 

Her parents have given her the opportunities to learn as much as she could.  She says, “My parents believe that with the economy growing and everything being so competitive, it is important to learn languages to enter the job market.”    

Ms. Bachner also states, “Language is the most basic form of communication; it is a door to seeing into our lives and understanding cultures.”

She also wants to stress that studying abroad is one of the best decisions a college student can make during their four years.  She says, “Dr. Doreen Blandino (chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department at Saint Vincent College) encouraged me to take my Spanish background and do something with it.  If you have a passion for a language and a culture, do something with it.  Live it!”

Ms. Bachner plans to pursue a master’s degree in social and public policy at Duquesne University.  Ms. Bachner is from Pittsburgh (15210) and is the daughter of Ralph and Susan Bachner.