Student Spotlight: Garian Edwards in Spain

What has been the most memorable part of your internship and life in Valencia so far?

My most memorable part of my internship is the connections I’ve been making along the way while I am here. It’s great to work with others who have the same passion and motivation as you to continue to work harder and develop more knowledge of what your career path would look like. My favorite moments in Valencia so far is the culture and the people. Here in Valencia, there are so many great dynamic things to do here along with meeting amazing people along the way which I have met people that definitely thrilled my experience here in Valencia.

Has anything you've learned in your courses or through the people you've met abroad influenced your career goals? Share a specific lesson, conversation, or connection that opened a new door or shifted your direction.

Things that I’ve learned while being in Spain is that influenced my career goals is having to ask myself “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose of being here?” I’ve always been asked things like this because you want to have a set goals of why are we doing opportunities like this, and what is our end goal when we make it to the finish line. For me, I’ve worked so very hard to get to the point where I am now. It’s really amazing to think about because I would never thought I would be in this position by doing a job that I absolutely love overseas in a different environment. I am truly blessed and thankful to be in this place of life that I am currently doing right now to become the best version of myself each day.

How has living and studying in a new country shaped your understanding of what leadership looks like across different cultures? Have you seen it modeled differently than what you're used to?

I can be very honest that living and studying in a new country is beyond different than the United States. Spain has its own various of traditions and resources of how they operate on a day to day basis. Learning from there traditions is also an interesting experience within having to take naps during day to restaurants and stores are not available until 6pm-2am the next day.