Now determined to have a global career path

Coming into my study abroad experience, I was a bit nervous but also very excited. This is because I had never ventured out of the United States before, and Spain had always been a dream destination for me. 

As a first-generation Hispanic student from Chicago, I felt that this experience could be a great opportunity for me to reconnect with my roots and understand how Hispanic culture has evolved and impacted the United States. However, I also had some concerns about the financial aspects of the program. Coming from a low-income background, I did not know how I would be able to finance the program. However, my professor and program director, Jorge Peña Marín, encouraged me to take the opportunity, and I did. I booked my plane ticket and hoped for the best. The fact that I received the MSUFCU Endowment Study Abroad Scholarship was a huge blessing.

Once I was there, I was amazed by everything that was around me. The fact that I could walk down the street and hear Spanish everywhere I went, as well as experience the culture, served as an experience like no other. One of the greatest aspects of the program was the fact that I got to visit different businesses, such as an olive oil maker and an orange farm. It was great to see the amount of effort, care, and physical labor that went into the production of these items.

Being a marketing major, I must say that this experience changed everything for me in terms of the way I now view business. I personally saw the role that culture plays in the creation of products and services. For example, while visiting a winery, I saw that the owners were willing to take a hit on the profit margin because the market was so competitive. However, they chose instead to use word-of-mouth marketing to get the word out about their business, as well as utilizing the story that they had to tell the community.

On a personal level, this program has helped me become more confident and independent. Living in a non-English speaking country forced me to become more effective in communication, even in unfamiliar situations. It also taught me that studying abroad is not simply a vacation. It is a learning experience which challenges you academically, culturally, and personally.

This experience has made me more determined than ever to have a career in marketing with a global perspective. It has taught me that culture and stories are important in building a successful business. I would like to thank the MSUFCU Endowment Study Abroad Scholarship for this wonderful experience that allowed me to fully embrace everything Spain has to offer.

• Name: Mario Rosario
• Status: Junior
• Major: Marketing
• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
• Program: Business and Culture in Spain