Sara Hamada Mohamed ’24 spent the last year studying abroad as a Biomedical Engineering/Spanish IEP Major in Santander, Spain. The IEP curriculum provides a high level of preparation so that students feel confident living in another culture and speaking a second language every day. Sara is also a 2022 Science and Engineering Fellow.
Which language are you studying at the college of arts and sciences and why did you choose it?
I am studying Spanish at URI for a couple of reasons. When I was younger, I went to a Spanish daycare until I was three, which exposed me to the language early on, even though I later forgot it. In high school, I reconnected with Spanish and fell in love with the language, especially because of its similarities to Arabic, my first language. I learned to appreciate the language and the diverse cultures that speak it which pushed me to continue my studies in college. I believe that being multilingual opens up many opportunities in both my professional and personal life.
Where did you study abroad for the year?
I studied abroad in the city of Santander, Spain.
What program/school did you participate in?
As a part of the IEP, I spent one semester at the Universidad de Cantabria, taking Electrical Engineering courses entirely in Spanish, along with a Spanish language course to improve my proficiency. Afterward, I completed a six month internship with Antenna Systems Solutions, a telecommunications engineering company in Santander as Radio Frequency Engineer Intern.
What is your favorite memory from your year abroad?
In general, just living in Spain and fully immersing myself in the culture was amazing, but I would have to say celebrating the local holidays in Santander, like Noche de San Juan or Semana Grande de Santander. I was able to go to these events with friends that I made in Spain so they’re memories I will never forget. Also, of course, the chance to travel Europe was fantastic!
What is a challenge you overcame while abroad?
Initially, I thought I was pretty good at Spanish, but reality quickly humbled me. It was hard to get comfortable with the language, but after a while, I improved a lot. Another was adjusting to Spain’s slower pace—I’m used to a faster pace like in the US. And let’s not forget the late night dinners – they were tough to get used to!
What would you tell a student considering this opportunity?
I’d say go for it and embrace the opportunity of living in a different country! Studying abroad is a chance to step out of your comfort zone, experience new cultures, and get first hand experience of what they teach you in the classroom, some things are best learned outside in the real world. It’s an experience that will stay with you forever and will teach you a lot about yourself.
How will this experience inform the rest of your time at URI?
This experience has given me a broader perspective on the world, making me more globally aware as both a person and an engineer. It has improved my Spanish, which will be valuable in my future career. Moving forward, I plan to apply what I’ve learned abroad to my studies at URI, bringing a more global outlook to my work and interactions. I’ll use these experiences to contribute to the URI community, sharing advice and encouraging others to study abroad to explore new cultures and opportunities.
Interested in the International Engineering Program?
Spend your senior year abroad immersed in engineering, language, and culture. As part of the IEP, you do not just learn global engineering–you live it.