From mastering Swahili in Tanzania to adapting to late-night dinners in Spain, 2022 Scholar Frankie Stroud’s year abroad became a transformative journey of language, culture, and courage — fueled by scholarships, mentors, and a mantra: ‘Do it afraid.’
What was the process like when applying for your study abroad programs? How did you decide where you wanted to go?
Coming to DU, I was ahead on credits and knew I would have flexibility in my four-year plan. After speaking with other students about their study abroad trips, I heard how transformational these experiences can be, and decided I wanted to do as much as possible. I knew I wanted to learn Swahili and improve my Spanish, but for finding specific programs I must thank my wonderful advisors/professors.
Dr. Savannah Pine helped me find a summer scholarship program in Tanzania designed for learning Swahili and helped me develop and submit my application. Dr. Susan Walter sat down with me and walked me through the different programs in Spain and Latin America, and how they could help me make progress in my major. I knew I wanted to learn Spanish from two very different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as be immersed in the communities I was living in.
Studying abroad is a huge financial decision and would have been unattainable for me without the Critical Language Scholarship from the State Department, or Boettcher’s International Education Grant.
During your time in Tanzania and Spain, what were the hardest aspects of living in a different culture?
I knew to brace myself for culture shock coming into new countries, but even when you prepare yourself to push through challenges, it will hit you in ways that you don’t expect. There were a few things that took longer for me to adjust to: In Tanzania, it was the concept of bargaining in markets/shops. I was not used to negotiating prices at all, and it is a skill that needs to be practiced! In Spain, the daily schedule/routine is much later than we are used to in the U.S. (ex. eating dinner around 10pm!) which was hard at first, but I got to build a whole new daily routine that I ended up loving.
What were and are your goals with each individual place you visit?
One of my biggest goals for each of the places I have lived was language acquisition. However, just because you live in a country where your target language is spoken, it does not just enter your brain through “osmosis.” It is really important to be intentionally studying and practicing every day. For this reason, I decided to live with host families in each country and take advantage of language partner/exchange programs where you can be paired with a local student to practice language skills.
I have also set goals for myself to learn more about the culture of the communities I’ve lived in including learning how to cook local recipes and learning about different styles of music. One of my favorite things about coming home between programs has been cooking Tanzanian and Spanish food for my family to share what I’ve learned.
What has been the most impactful lesson that you’ve learned so far?
One of the most impactful lessons that I have learned so far has been: do it afraid! You won’t always feel ready to take a big leap, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. I was so nervous to plan a whole year abroad when many of my friends and peers would all be coming back to campus at the same time. I still get nervous every time I go to a new country, and even after years of language learning, I get nervous to speak in my second/third languages with native speakers. Fear doesn’t necessarily go away, but you can decide to do scary things anyway. Looking back, the moments where I have decided to be bold and do the things that scare me have been so rewarding and sparked so much growth.
How do you feel like your year abroad will impact you going forward and into your career?
Throughout this year, I have met incredible people and made lasting connections that I know I will keep for the rest of my life. I am still in touch with each of my host families, as well as many other students I met in my programs. In each of these countries, I also had the chance to meet with local women leaders advancing gender equity and empowerment in their communities, which is something I hope to contribute to in my future career. These women have been truly inspiring and have shaped the way I now think about the global movement for women’s empowerment and gender-based violence prevention. I cannot overstate how helpful my language skills have already been in connecting not only with communities around the world, but also at home in Denver. I am excited to continue using language as a tool for connection wherever I go.
