reviewatlas

For the Daily Review Atlas

Imagine being a junior in college and having the opportunity to study abroad for a semester.

Many of us would think of this as just a dream, but for Monmouth resident and Monmouth College student Erin Mann it is an opportunity that is leaving a lasting impression on her.

Mann, the daughter of Dennis and Denise Mann of Monmouth, is getting the chance to not only study in Spain for a semester, but gain knowledge that will later help this International Studies/Spanish major who also carries a minor in French.

Mann, who currently lives with a woman and her two grandsons, had the choice to either study in Spain or Mexico and chose Spain because of the chance to visit Europe.

"Spain has always been so interesting to me and I wanted to learn more about the culture, people, and of course the language," comments Mann. Mann first learned of the program her freshman year when the Spanish class she was taking had a speaker come in and talk about studying abroad. It sounded interesting to her right away but she didn't think too much more about it.

Her sophomore year, another speaker came to another of her Spanish classes and talked again about studying abroad and the wheels began to turn for her. She talked to her parents and her professors about the possibility of taking part and finally decided to apply for the program.

After applying through the college and then through Central College, who sponsors the program, she then had a mountain of paperwork to fill out as well as getting letters of recommendation.

"When I found out I was accepted to the program I was so excited," continues Mann.

"At first it really didn't hit me but then I realized that I was going to Spain."

While being in Spain, Mann has had the chance to really notice just how different the culture is from her own.

"They have a totally different way of living here," she states. "Everything here is so laid back and relaxed and worry-free. I am just impressed at how the people handle their daily lives and it is totally not what I am used to."

Mann, who looks at things differently now, has a different way of handling things than she did before.

"I guess I think more about things now, but don't worry about them as much," she adds. "I now take more things into consideration when thinking about things and I feel more confident with my ideas and decisions."

It hasn't all been about studying for this college junior though. While in Spain she has had the opportunity to travel and see many sites around Europe.

The group she is with has taken trips to Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba and Seville in Spain. She has also traveled to Rome where she was able to see the Coloseum, the Vatican City-Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the ruins of Caesar's Palace and the Pantheon.

Mann has also been to London where she was able to see "Phantom of the Opera" at one of the many theatres and she saw the typical sites such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

She will be going to Germany to visit the cities of Frankfurt and Berlin and then she will get to go to either the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands, which are an island chain just off the coast of Spain. Finally she is hoping to go to Portugal to do some much needed resting and just take in the beaches.

"I miss all of my family and friends," continues Mann. "I just miss the fact that someone is always there if I need something or have a problem or question."

"I miss my mom's food and milk for sure," she states. "Here the milk is completely whole milk and not pasteurized. It is sold warm just sitting on shelves in cartons. I really don't like it."

For this track and cross country runner she is also missing her meets and being with the team at Monmouth College.

"I check the results every weekend and keep up on how everyone is doing. I just miss the little things like going to practice and running with the other girls. I even miss the very hard, long workouts," she concludes.

Mann states that she has learned to appreciate things more and realizes how lucky we have it here. She has also learned more about herself and who she is. "I am not afraid to give my opinion on things," she concludes.

Mann, who will return home at the end of the semester, has grown as a person during her time abroad. It has been an experience she will never forget and one that will impact her for life.