This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Callie Rouse: So first of all, can you introduce your name, your pronouns, your major, and the program you went on?
Tamia Lewis: Sure. So I'm Tamia, or I go by Mia most of the time. Mia Lewis. I use she/her pronouns, I'm a senior here, and I was on the summer program for Psychology and Research in Madrid.
CR: So why did you decide to choose this particular program?
TL: So I really wanted to gain more experience like studying abroad. I'd heard of study abroad programs before, but when I was researching some of them I just didn't feel like they were tailored to exactly what I was looking for. So I felt like this program had more options of classes that I could take and I just felt like personally for me was the better option out of the other ones that I looked at.
CR: What were the classes that you decided to do?
TL: I did biopsychology, and then I did cross cultural psychology. And at first I was going to do psych in the workplace just because it sounded really interesting, but then I ended up switching. So I ended up just dropping the psych in the workplace and just doing biopsychology and cross cultural.
CR: Gotcha, did you have a favorite of the 2 classes?
TL: I think cross-cultural. I got a lot out of that class, a lot more than I expected. And that was another reason why I really liked the program, because I didn't see any courses that were similar to a cross cultural psych course. Of course I knew that I would gain more insight as to how psychology is integrated into different cultures, but I just didn't really know what to expect exactly. But I feel like it almost helped me with becoming more like assimilated into Spanish culture, because it gave me more of an understanding of why I was seeing the things that I was seeing and experiencing the things that I was experiencing. So it didn't feel out of touch. The professor just did a really really great job of saying: “I know you guys are seeing these things in our culture. This is some background information as to why you're seeing it, and this is how to deal with it. Moving forward. You don't have to accept it, you don't have to participate in it, but just be respectful of it”. So I just was not expecting to walk away with that much real world knowledge of the culture that I got. So that was really cool.
CR: Yeah, that sounds really cool. It sounds like it would be very different to take it in Spain versus, even if they did have a class here, it wouldn't be the same kind of experience.
TL: Yeah, It was so great. And the professor was really great, too. So yeah, it was awesome.
CR: What is something that you took away from the experience, or a story you'd like to share in particular about it?
TL: That's like such a good question. I feel like I took so many things away from this experience. It was such a great experience. I would say overall, I think just as my cross-cultural professors stressed, you’re going to experience things that are outside of the norm of what you’re used to, but just try to respect it. You don't have to participate. For example, we went and saw a bull fighting show. I forget what it's called. I'm so sorry. And I'm against animal cruelty. I don't particularly care for bullfighting, but it's a part of Spain's culture, and I felt like you have to respect it. This is just what it is, and I don't have to go to another one. Just having respect for the culture and not having such a standpoint that the American way to do things is the only right way to do things. Just having an open mind overall.
CR: My next question is: how are the academics different in comparison to the ones here at U-M?
TL: A lot of things were unsaid and you were supposed to figure out what the professors expected. I feel like here you have a syllabus and it’s really clear what you’re supposed to do. I know even my cross-cultural teacher made a comment. She said: “the U of M students are very uptight and wound up, we had to start handing things out early because you guys won’t stop emailing”. But we come from a university that is very structured and they just lay everything out so that we don’t have any questions about the formatting of the class. I would say don’t be afraid to ask questions until it’s super clear. I would not feel ashamed doing that. I would say overall the main difference is the structure.
CR: I’m also about to prepare the winter students to go abroad and that’s really helpful for me to know that the style of teaching in Spain is so different. There can be quite a bit of a cultural barrier with Spain which students don’t necessarily anticipate, but that is really important to know.
TL: Yeah, my heart goes out to them in those first couple of weeks because you think about adjusting to the culture but may not realize you’re also gonna be working directly with professors who are of Spain’s culture. It’s just so different, but they’ll do fine. They’ll adjust, I’m sure.
CR: Is there anything that you’d like to share about your identity that has been notable or different from the US in Spain?
TL: I feel like being a woman of color in the US is a much different experience than it is in Spain. I definitely felt safer. I didn’t feel as worried about crime at night or walking around at night. Encounters with law enforcement didn’t feel unsafe. I had my wallet stolen in Barcelona, and I didn’t think the police or security would really care. But they were actually really caring and helpful and actually found my wallet. I had never had such a positive experience with law enforcement, so that was really comforting. I don’t know if that was everyone’s experience. Different things happen to people, but I felt safe as a woman of color.
CR: Yeah, I’m glad it was positive.
TL: Yeah, and I was just so sad coming back. I just felt so safe there. Of course there is prejudice and racism, but it's not as overt, I feel. I don't know if that's a good thing, but I just think it shows up a little differently. They look a little longer, they might say things about my hair, but I don’t think it comes from a place of hatred or anything.
CR: What do you think you'll remember the most about the experience in 20 years?
TL: Honestly, in 20 years I think I'll remember how much more brave I am than I thought I was. I never thought that I’d be able to go to a different country on my own and not be fluent in the language, but figure out how to solve my own problems. I never expected that I would be able to do something like this and come back with such a positive experience, and I had so much fun. I learned so many new things. I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it, but I did.
CR: Yes, yeah! If you’re willing to share, did you receive any scholarships or funding for the program? And if so, did you get any particular scholarships that other students might be able to get if they're looking into this program.
TL: Yeah, I applied for a few scholarships. I think I was awarded the CGIS scholarship and, because ours was through the University of Minnesota, I did two through them.
CR: Yes, it sounds like you got the LSA Study Abroad Scholarship if it was through CGIS.
TL: Yes, so definitely LSA, the University of Minnesota, and I received financial aid as well, so that helped. Yeah, those were my experiences, they were great.
CR: Is there anything else you want to share about the experience to students that are interested in the program?
TL: I would just say if you have the smallest interest to just do it. Even if you're terrified. It's not as bad as you think and I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I would just say go for it and have faith in yourself that you can do it. Oh, and bring a fan.
Have questions for Mia about her experiences with Research & Psychology in Madrid? Contact her at tamialew@umich.edu.
