ENGLISH STUDIES UNIVERSITY LIFE

                (Campus del Rectorat)

Reading time- 3 minutes

By Ana Santamaría, Paola Vega, Maite Aldana & Esther Muñoz

OUR JOURNEY THROUGH ENGLISH STUDIES AT UDL

Starting university is an exciting and intimidating experience. For the four of us, our journeys in the University of Lleida's (UdL) English Studies program have been different, but we all share one powerful connection: a deep passion for the English language.

In this blog entry, we’ll share how we arrived here, the challenges we faced, what we’ve learned, and what we look forward to in the future.

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WHY WE CHOSE ENGLISH STUDIES

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  Each of us has taken a unique journey     to  arrive at this moment, earning our   degree through different motivations,   experiences, and aspirations. Though   our paths have been distinct, they have   also been interconnected, shaped by a   shared passion for the English language   and the opportunities it provides.

 - Maite: Since she was young, she loved English and in school and in the high school this language was her favorite subject. Moreover, it was a strong point of her because she always had good marks in it. Besides, she knew since she was 7 that she would be an English teacher someday, she want to taught the children to love English the same way she does. Additionally, she chose this degree because her father told her that it's a big chance that allows you to have more opportunities in the future and that it is a well asked tongue.

 Anna: Anna developed an interest in language as a cultural connector after growing up surrounded by English-language movies and international music. She was surprised to discover that, despite geographical and cultural distances, one can connect, retell stories, and access emotions through words. Her decision to major in English in university just seemed to come naturally to her, and it seemed to be motivated by her desire to understand and appreciate details in communication and cultural sharing on a deeper level.

•  Esther: Esther has always wanted to be a translator since she has a talent for other languages and their capacity to unite people from different countries. In the future, she hopes to be able to assist individuals from all backgrounds in understanding and communicating with one another in spite of linguistic barriers. Through her university studies, she has developed her language and translation skills, preparing her for a job focused on creating international relationships.

• Paola: Paola has always had the desire to travel worldwide since she has an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity about the world. She sees language as the key to understanding other cultures, experiences, and ways of thinking. Meanwhile, she has a strong passion for teaching and aspires to teach English in elementary schools. She wants to share her love of the language with young students so they can lay a solid foundation that will eventually lead to a larger perspective.

Our shared opinion that English is essential to our education, professions, and personal development unites us despite our different objectives and motives. This is what has connected us, made our friendships more powerful made us more resilient, and forced us to face adversity. Our passion for the English language and the multitude of chances it has given us will continue to connect us together no matter where our separate paths lead us in the future.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

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 None of us had an easy time getting to UdL. The   journey was made more challenging by the   difficulties, self-doubts, and personal problems   that each of us had. But we overcame these   obstacles and got to where we are now due to our   unwavering determination, tenacity, and the   encouragement of those around us.

• Maite Her biggest fear was to not be able to follow the rhythm of the classes and to not fully understand the teachers. Furthermore, she questioned herself if her English was good enough to enter this degree and she usually compared her level to others in the class, making for her more difficult to attend classes and to have motivation in these studies.

• Anna For Anna, the assignment was more about demonstrating to her family the value of her degree than it was about academics. She questioned whether studying English would result in stable employment or a successful professional life because she was raised in a home where job stability was valued above all else. She remained dedicated to her choice, though, because she thought that possibilities would present themselves if she was passionate and determined. She has made repeated attempts to prove that her decision was both justified and worthwhile.

•  Esther Combining employment and school was one of Esther's main problems. It was difficult enough to adjust from high school to university, but managing work and school made things even more difficult. She was determined to study even though there were times when her exhaustion and stress were overwhelming. She has become more resilient and determined to pursue her goals as a result of learning to balance duty, organization, and endurance under challenging circumstances.

• Paola Paola's initial goal was to pursue a degree in education. She had to to reconsider her path of study after failing the PAP exam, which was necessary for program admittance. She saw this degree as her final opportunity to fulfill her aspirations, disappointed and confused of what she would do. What started out as a setback turned into a chance. She developed a fresh interest in English and realized she had other options for pursuing her career ambition of working in teaching.

Even if there were challenges during our visits to UdL, we never lost sight of our goals. We are prepared for whatever comes ahead, even though we are aware that university life will continue to put us to the test in unexpected and surprising ways. We are dedicated to pursuing our goals and helping one another along the way, regardless of how difficult the path forward may be.

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FIRST YEAR: FROM FEAR TO CONFIDENCE

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 Our first year at UdL has been an exciting journey filled with mental challenges, growth, and self-improvement. We are anxious to start a whole new chapter in our lives. We had to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones right away, adapt to a new learning system, manage assignments, and gain confidence in our ability to succeed.

An essential period for Maite, Anna, and Esther's adaptation to university life was orientation week. They got to know their new classmates, made friends, and eventually got over the anxiety that comes with such a big transition during this initial period. They had the opportunity to become familiarized with the school, learn about the expectations, and begin to feel comfortable in this new study setting thanks to the organized events and friendly atmosphere.

But Paola did not have that simple of a time. She missed orientation entirely because she arrived later in October, and it was more difficult for her to get started. She considered it even more difficult to adjust to academics, meet her classmates, and integrate into the university community without the instant support and information channels that orientation offered. She was resolved not to fall behind in spite of this rough beginning. She quickly got back on her feet with our help and encouragement, proving to us that everything is achievable with determination and hard work.

We were very dependent on one other at first. We developed into a support system for one another, whether it was through note-exchanging, clarification of complex concepts, or just words of encouragement. We gradually increased our confidence in our academic talents by learning time management skills and how to balance homework and personal obligations through experimentation and failure.

We are no longer intimidated by the difficulties that initially overwhelmed us, such as presentations, tests, and heavy course assignments. We've come to accept them, realizing that they are obstacles to development rather than dangers to be frightened. More significantly, we now know that the real secrets to success are perseverance, hard work, and a positive atmosphere. With that in mind, we continue our educational path with the confidence that we can overcome whatever obstacle life may us.

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FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY

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 We've come to appreciate friendship more than academics. Stressful group projects, late-night study sessions, and moments of laughing have all helped to deepen our relationship. Studying is only one aspect of university life; other aspects include developing one's independence, learning from experiences, and helping one another along the way. We've learned to rely on one another, whether it's for support during difficult times or academic assistance. These friendships add value to the experience and serve as a reminder that success is about more than just grades it's also about the individuals who stand by us at every setback and triumph. It can be added, that in the university you gain more social life and friendships that will probably last forever or, at least, for a long time.

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OUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE

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  Although we are all unique, our objectives have   never been more apparent. We've learned what we   love to do, what we want to achieve, and we've got   the courage to go after the things that really excite   us. Our shared goal of realizing our ambitions binds   us together despite the diversity of our conclusions.

  Maite Maite desires to become a primary teacher who taught the students to love English the way she does. She always saw that her school mates hated this subject and when she told them that she loved English everyone was surprised. So she would like to make English interesting for the kids, in other words, she want to establish inspiration between the children. In addition, she want to achieve a great level of English because she would like to travel around the world and to communicate with anyone.

 Anna: Anna hopes to work in the media, producing information that appeals to a wide range of people and has no borders. Through compelling narratives that inspire empathy and conversation, she hopes to unite individuals from different cultural backgrounds as a journalist, filmmaker, or digital storyteller.

  

Esther:Esther wants to work as a translator to help people from diverse backgrounds communicate with each other by crossing language barriers. For her, translating is more than simply a job; it's a means of linking people worldwide and facilitating the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and stories across linguistic and cultural divides.

 

Paola: Paola is determined about become an English teacher so she may pass on her passion for the language to the next generation of learners. Inspired by the teachers who taught and supported her in the past, she hopes to provide an enjoyable and dynamic learning atmosphere in her classroom where students will acquire the abilities and self-assurance necessary to go abroad in English.

We are aware that the road ahead will not be simple. Though we are ready to face them head-on, there will be uncertainties, challenges to overcome, and unexpected setbacks. We are ready to move confidently into the future with courage, tenacity, and the constant stability of the support system we have established along the way, knowing that our dedication and hard work will keep pushing us ahead.

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THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Our UdL experiences have shaped us into individuals we never imagined we'd become. Every challenge we conquered, every fear, every frustration, every uncertainty urged us to grow, to adapt, and to be stronger. The struggles we overcame did not make us who we are; they taught us resilience, determination, and the value of pushing ourselves beyond our boundaries.

We consider learning English as much more than just a certificate. It's the key to a whole new universe of possibilities, doorways that open up deeper cultures, new possibilities, and more understanding. It's about expanding our horizons, establishing connections, and giving us the tools to understand a world that is becoming more and more interconnected.

This part of our story is not yet complete, but we are prepared to welcome whatever comes next. We still have a lot to learn, a lot of obstacles to overcome, and a lot of novel experiences ahead of us. With open arms and hopeful hearts, we move forward together, strong and open-minded.

Thanks to the journey that remains ahead, filled with wonder, progress, and excitement of endless possibilities.

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What about you? Have you faced similar challenges in your university journey? Share your story with us in the comments below! ✨