The first day I met Roser 14 years ago was still fresh as if it were just yesterday. As a freshman I was so paralyzed to speak my newly-learned Spanish in front of a native speaker that I couldn’t even respond to her greeting and basic questions like “como te llamas”. But it just took less than one semester to let me realize Roser is a good mentor and good friend to me. All of students in her Spanish class not only learned knowledge related to Spain but also lived in a big family and got along well with each other like siblings. She envisioned a vivid image of Spain that was literally intangible at the moment through its splendid language and culture and made it so real to us, and she also inspired us to go abroad and see the beautiful world.

Finally, I got a chance to study in France in my senior year. I hadn’t learned any French before I went there, but French and Spanish belonged to the same linguistic branch so my Spanish foundation facilitated my French. And of course, I paid a visit to Spain and Roser’s hometown. I was so obsessed with the perfect combination of exotic scenery, endemic culture and the unique Spanish hospitality. My four years in UIC was full of fantasy and harvest.  I hope your young fellows will have the same terrific experience as I experienced when you study here.