#gallyabroad

Image Description: Inside a restaurant and group of students is sitting on both sides of a very long table. The students are looking at the camera and smiling.

This study abroad program was an important part of my college experience. It offered me the opportunity to meet Deaf people, explore new places and their history, and develop strong relationships with my professors and other students. With my classmates, we shared our experiences of life in the U.S., school at Gallaudet University, and American culture with the Spanish Deaf people and they did the same for us. This was very important for my degree plan at Gallaudet and my future career because I learned how to approach international students, people, and employees by giving them respect, acceptance, appreciation, and treating them with equality and I learned how to work as a team with my classmates. This experience helped me to increase my academic awareness.

Image Description: A group of six sits on a concrete ledge with the city of Toledo behind them. Professor Pilar Pinar is on the far left and Juan is the third from the right. Everyone is smiling.

My classmates and I went to Toledo to explore their history, religion, and tradition. It was interesting to learn more about those topics. We learned about the history of these topics and I understood why it is good to analyze things like that. I enjoyed trying to uncover the mysteries I encountered. It helped me to increase my skill for analyzing new topics.

Image Description: Juan smiles on the left, next to him is one of his LSE professors, Sete, and then two of his classmates from the Madrid program. All are smiling.

I had the fortune of going to Israel for five weeks to do my internship for the Masters in Sign Language Education. It was a rich and unforgettable experience both personally and professionally, especially returning to the country where I grew up and left to move to America 15 years ago. I did my internship at the interpreting training programs at Bar Ilan University and Ariel University in Tel Aviv. I observed the classes led by deaf instructors, provided support for their students in the classroom and took part in conversations with professionals about teaching sign language and curriculum planning. In addition, I was lucky enough to attend a conference of sign language professionals and linguists at Haifa University in the northern part of Israel. I became familiar with the teaching methods and curriculums used by those teaching Israeli Sign Language (ISL). The experience allowed me to reconnect with the country where I grew up, to re-discover my native language, ISL. In addition, I developed networks with sign language professionals in Israel for possible future collaborations. Seeing how sign language is taught in another part of the world was very enriching and a great learning experience. The teachers in Israel I worked with and myself both learned a lot from each other as we exchanged information, experiences, and ideas. I definitely would recommend this experience to others as it is an incredible experience to be able to get out of your comfort zone and open your eyes to new experiences, ideas, and knowledge. I am very grateful for the opportunity to study abroad, and it would not have been possible without Gallaudet’s support and encouragement, from my internship advisor to my professors and of course the study abroad program.

Socializing with Deaf Israelis and enjoying the Tel Aviv nightlife. I was celebrating for my last day of internship.

Basking in the sun at the beach in Tel Aviv.

Pomegranate at the street markets in Tel Aviv.

ID: There is a white building with many windows and trees in front of it. 

         These photos were taken the first day of arrival.

ID: This photo shows a map of the world, with the route I took from Atlanta to Madrid. There is a small plane that shows my progress and how close I am to my destination. 

After spending one month in Spain, I have learned quite a number of things. To start off, I learned that traveling should be required for all students to experience. Many people may have a misconception that studying abroad is a vacation. If you are reading this, I am here to ensure you it is completely not. The amount of work you do will feel more than you completed during a regular semester at University. Working with thirteen other students with different personalities and needs in one group was challenging. With that being said, it was the greatest adventure. Immersing yourself in a different culture puts all your perspectives in another light. When you are put in a new location, unfamiliar environment, and learning a new language with a group of people you do not know well, you will be surprised how much can happen. 

For four weeks Madrid, Spain became my home while learning LSE (Spanish Sign Language) and learning about the Spanish Deaf community. It was fascinating to think about the similarities between Spain culture and Cuban culture back at home. The people were extremely friendly. Typically for American culture, there is not as much affection when greeting others. Greetings with Spanish people were commonly affectionate. The food tasted more fresh than American as well as tasted just like home for me. The environment was much cleaner besides all the cigarette smoking. I kept daily writings throughout the entire trip. The first week was pretty eventful with our academic director Paco. Some highlights were shopping at El Rastro (a market), having a sunset picnic at the Debob Temple Park, attempting boat rowing at Retiro Park, visiting the school Ponce De Leon, and traveling to Valencia. 

The Spanish Deaf community was a dream come true for me. Spanish and American Sign language was a connection and communication barrier with my family. Meeting the Deaf community in Spain felt like meeting family members missing my whole life. The Spanish Deaf community was filled with so much kindness and pride of their identity. Although we arrived with little LSE knowledge, my classmates and I were able to present to and interact with deaf individuals at the Deaf association. The connection and communication was there. Not only were there night long conversations that will never be forgotten, there was great growth practicing our LSE.

My conversations with these three women are unforgettable.

ID: There is a group of 5 women of various age, all are standing with their arms around each other with a smile on their face. 

Consisting mainly of classes with Professor Sete, and afternoon naps, the second week highlights were starting Theatre workshop with Professors Carlos and Jose Luis, the “Día Nacional de las Lenguas de Signos Españolas” National Spanish Sign Language Day, walks exploring the city, and turning twenty-one! The Prado Museum with history interpretations from Abel, a lot of theatre practice, an amusement park, and a day trip to Toledo summed up week three. Traveling to these cities were different than Madrid. Valencia held the beach and mountains side by side; the food and people were different compared to Toledo. Toledo was enriched with history all around. The cathedral was full of art and learning about how the designs around the city was showcasing the three cultures (Christian, Jewish, and Muslim) brought up there years ago.                 

ID: There is a round building made out of glass connected to a white round building by a white pathway. Surrounding the glass building there is a man made pool. The design looks futuristic. 

ID: This is a large stone building. There are impressive stonework and the sky is very blue with some birds flying. 

The first photo (on the left) was taken in Valencia. The other two are of the Cathedral in Toledo.

ID: There is a large wall carving made out of stones. The carving shows angels and people. There are tourists standing in front of the decoration. 

The final week was emotional. Madrid became a second home. Professors became like parents while acquaintances became friends. Over the course of the program, we all learned a crucial life skill on how to better work together in a team. Performing a play after a few weeks of learning the language was a grand challenge. In all aspects of this program, there was change. The biggest impact was growing as a person. I am not the same patient, shy, and open-minded person prior to studying abroad. My patience was tested various times only making me gain more. Shy is not a relevant word anymore, outgoing is. I assumed I was “open minded” only to be proved wrong. I became truly open-minded living in another country. Spending time with all the hardworking people including Dr. Pilar, Professor Gregoire, Paco, Professor Sete, Interpreters Manu and Abel, Theatre professors Carlos and Jose Luis, and my classmates, with learning a language and developing connections has benefitted me academically and personally. Pushing yourself to do things you have never attempted shows you there are no limits. I came back to America with some knowledge of working with my Deaf and Blind colleague, being able to communicate in a new Sign Language, understanding how to travel internationally, and a new meaning of what education truly is. Studying abroad in Spain has expanded my knowledge, mind, and heart.

This photo was taken after our performance on the last Friday in Spain.

Jared Spinale at Cinque Terre: Manarola

Duomo il Milano: Casey Peck and Jared Spinale

My experience in Italy for Study Abroad was the best part of my journey in my life. I had never been out of the country before, and I'm glad I got to see Italy. My ancestors are from Sicily, Italy. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Sicily while I was there. However, I plan to come back someday to make sure I have a chance to see Sicily. I'm still overwhelmed by Italy because there are so many places to see. Our study abroad program was located in Siena, Italy. While we were there, all of Europe was experiencing a heatwave! It was difficult because several buildings in Siena including the apartments, the school, some restaurants, etc. do not have the air conditioning because it is not common in Europe.

Jared Spinale at Cinque Terre: Vernazza

Cinque Terre: Corniglia

While we were in Siena, Italy, for our Study Abroad, we got to meet many wonderful people in the program. During the program, we learned LIS, Italian Written Language, and Italian Deaf Culture and History. There were 44 students from different schools like Gallaudet University, University of Arizona, University of Iowa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and so many more! One day, we went together as a group from the program and attended the National Deaf Organization in Italy and we got a chance to meet Deaf people outside the program. Since we already had learned a lot of LIS (Italian Sign Language), we were all able to communicate using LIS! It was my favorite part of that gathering!

Siena, Italy: Piazza del Campo

Siena Instituto Pendola per sordomuti (Siena’s Deaf School): Now defunct

Siena, Italy: Duomo di Siena 

On the weekends, during our free time, we visited Milan, Cinque Terre, Rome, and Vatican City. There are so many memories to remember because every single day being in Italy gave me the best feeling ever. In Milan, they have the world's fifth-biggest Duomo (Church). Cinque Terre is made up of five towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso with colorful building and beautiful sightseeing ocean! Rome has so many places to see like the Colosseum, Palatine, Arch of Constantine, and  a Deaf owned restaurant called One Sense. One Sense has waiters who were able to communicate using LIS or International Sign and it was so wonderful to have this communication access! We also saw the world’s largest Duomo called the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City! For Deaf people, we received free entrance to many places we visited, such as duomos, museums, sightseeing of buildings or towers and anything like that. For example, in Rome, we received free entrance to go up the Colosseum instead of waiting in line.

Jared Spinale in Siena, Italy: Top of Siena Duomo

Siena, Italy: Palio di Siena - Piazza di Campo

My favorite part of my time in Italy was seeing the Palio race on the Piazza di Campo. It’s a tradition in Siena that has carried on since 1701. There are many groups of people called contrades and every year there are two races. The mayor will draw the names and pick 10 contrades to represent out of 17 contrades. Everyone shows up to make it a  full house and it was so surreal seeing a piece of the real culture of Italy and seeing a tradition that happens every year. The contrade that wins would celebrate all night, and the rest of contrades will cry and look heartbroken. This competition is a big deal for the people of Italy.

Siena, Italy: Torre del Mangia

Roma, Italy: One Sense - Deaf Owned Restaurant

Roma, Italy: Inside the Colosseum

After seeing so many beautiful places I realize that there are still a lot of places to see in Italy! The Siena Deaf Studies program includes students who are able to communicate using ASL and LIS. It was the best feeling by far because the attitude was always “the more, the merrier.” My experience participating in the Siena Deaf Studies program through Gallaudet was excellent and I encourage everyone to apply this amazing opportunity!

Jared Spinale in Roma, Italy: Outside the Colosseum

Jared Spinale in Vatican City