Spanish Learning Community and Resources

❝ My Language Learning Journey ❞ / Martina Sentino 

¡BUENAS! ✊ 

With the series ❝ My Language Learning Journey, ❞ we want to share stories of people who have participated in a mobility programme in Spain or Latin America. Through informal chats, they will tell us about their Erasmus experience, their language learning process, and curiosities about their host city. 

Today's protagonist is Martina Sentino. Let's read!  

Hola, Martina :-) Could you please introduce yourself to the community?  

Sure thing! Hi, I'm Martina. I'm 24 years old, and I come from the province of Turin, in the northwest of Italy. I study Modern Foreign Languages at East Piedmont University. 

Where and when did you complete your mobility programme? Also, how long were you there? 

I went to Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain. I left for my Erasmus in September 2022 and returned at the end of June 2023, so I spent roughly 9 months abroad, the entire academic year. 

Why did you choose Tenerife? 

I picked Tenerife as my Erasmus destination because it best matched my criteria: first, I would have had the chance to perfect my Spanish, considering it's one of the main subjects in my graduate course. Additionally, it offered the most matching courses for my study career, had a year-long programme, which was very important to me, and lastly, it was geographically farther away from my home. 

Do you recommend Tenerife and the Canary Islands as an Erasmus destination? Why? 

I absolutely recommend them, especially Tenerife, mostly for the geographical beauty hidden there. You can find numerous volcanoes, crystal-clear ocean waters, white and black beaches, forests, deserts, and historical towns on the island. In this environment, you can experience new activities. In my case, I had the opportunity to try stand-up surfing, participate in nighttime hikes for stargazing, and “climbing” volcanoes. Also, the island has a very international atmosphere, as many young remote workers choose it as their (temporary) home. 

What is the one thing we should know about Tenerife and/or Canary Islands and what is the one thing you liked most about Tenerife and/or Canary Islands? 

The one thing you should be aware of is that it could be a bit hard to make friends with the locals, as they are “isleños” (islanders) and are notoriously a bit more reserved. On the other hand, living in Tenerife gave me the opportunity to do some solo travelling when visiting a few of the other islands of the archipelago, which are very close yet all very different from each other but all equally safe. 

Did you have the opportunity to travel to other parts of Spain or the Canary Islands? Is there a place you fell in love with? Any recommendations? 

I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the peninsula during my Erasmus, but that’s okay because my favourite place in the Canary Islands turned out to be the one I visited by chance, so definitely not the typical tourist destination. I’m talking about the tiny island of La Graciosa, just north of Lanzarote. It’s a deserted island with the most untouched landscapes that make you feel so small yet so calm. It was a crazy feeling (in a good way)!  

Have you tried any Spanish food? Is there a dish you think people need to try? 

I did try Spanish food, and I can confidently say that it’s delicious. Of course, in Tenerife, you can find all the main Spanish dishes, such as tortilla de papas, but my favourite one, which I would recommend everyone to try if they like cheese, is a typical Canarian dish called “queso asado con mojo” that is local grilled cheese with parsley or peppers sauce.  

Was it challenging to adapt to the new language when you arrived? 

It wasn’t too challenging, as I had previous knowledge of Spanish, but it was still difficult in some situations that required specific vocabulary that I didn’t know. In general, I would say that transitioning from speaking Spanish in an academic environment, as in my home university, to having to do literally everything in Spanish, was demanding and quite tiring, especially in the beginning. 

Which language did you use on a daily basis? 

I would use Spanish in basically any situation, from attending classes (my classes were completely in Spanish, apart from English class, of course) to doing groceries or talking to the bus driver. Just in a few occasional situations, where I was interacting with non-Spanish speakers, I would use English or Italian. 

What was your Spanish proficiency level before and after the mobility? 

I think that my Spanish has improved considerably especially in terms of conversation fluidity and in the use of everyday “filler words” or idiomatic expressions, which don’t get taught in university but are essential for speaking more like a native. 

What do you think of OLS, and would you recommend the Spanish community to anyone going on Erasmus? 

I would recommend it to read other people's experiences and get a better idea of what we are going to experience abroad. Sometimes, for various reasons, we don't always get the chance to discuss our expectations or fears with classmates. I was one of those people! 

Did OLS help you improve your language skills? 

It partially did. As I already knew the basics of the Spanish language/grammar, I found I needed some more advanced courses and also because it was a very new portal, so it still needed some adjustments. But I would recommend it to those who are starting from zero. 

What would you say to someone who is a bit worried because he/she is going to do an Erasmus in Spain and doesn't have a good command of Spanish? Any tricks or advice that proved helpful for you? 

I would recommend just going for it. I totally understand that moving to a country where you don’t know the language can be scary, but the fear will never pass until you actually do it. Also, Spanish people are quite friendly and are used to interacting with foreigners, especially in the main cities, so I believe they are more patient and understanding when it comes to someone not speaking the language perfectly. The “trick” I would recommend for learning Spanish, or any language really, is to not be afraid of making mistakes because only by trying and trying you actually learn the language. I would also suggest not only hanging out with those who speak your mother tongue because, in my advice, every time we prefer our mother tongue rather than the language we’re learning, it’s a little step back in our learning process.  

Is there any cultural aspect about Spain or the Canary Islands that has surprised you? 

Since the beginning of my stay in Tenerife, I noticed how “hard” people "celebrate," if we can put it this way. Young people like to party all night long, which is something a bit unusual in Italy due to the closing times of the clubs. On the other hand, there, it’s normal to go back home only when the sun is rising. I wasn’t really used to this kind of things, but it was definitely a must-do experience. 

What do you think of the Erasmus programme? 

It’s undoubtedly a very enriching experience that challenges you to get out of your comfort zone and teaches you how to deal with various aspects, such as bureaucracy or loneliness, that you might experience at times. I believe that the existence of the Erasmus programme should not be taken for granted, and everyone who can, should definitely take advantage of it without hesitation 

Reflecting on your Erasmus experience, what is the most valuable lesson you've gained? 

Probably that I can do and deal with much more than I thought I could, from waiting for nobody to do the things I had desire to do, to sorting out my plan for the future, which was quite unclear before going on Erasmus.  

In retrospect, what would you have liked to know before moving to the Canary Islands? 

I think that I wouldn’t change a thing. I went there knowing only the things I needed to “survive” (how the bureaucracy worked and a bit about the transportation system), but, other than that, I discovered things on the go. Of course, I did some general research, but I believe that having too many expectations about a place can sometimes “ruin” it once we get there because those expectations might not accurately represent the reality of facts.   

Any tips on how to make the most of the mobility programme?  

I would say that having a “yes” mentality is a must to discover new things and really step out of your comfort zone. Of course, it doesn’t mean doing anything you don’t want to, but giving a chance to those things that are new or unusual in your life. It could lead to discovering new hobbies or passions or making new friends. 

Have you faced any challenges, and how did you deal with them? 

Probably my biggest challenge was adapting to the teaching and evaluation methods used in the Spanish university system. Unlike in Italy, in Tenerife, we were required to deliver reports, summaries, presentations, or exercises throughout the duration of the course. To overcome this obstacle, it was crucial to have the support of other fellow Erasmus students who were also struggling a bit like me. By working together, we figured out what was required and, by helping each other, we managed to hand over good-quality work.  

What are your plans for the future? 

I’m planning to graduate in September 2024 (fingers crossed) and then start working as a flight attendant for a major company that would give me the possibility to live abroad and make travelling my lifestyle. 

Finally, how would you define your Erasmus experience in one word? Why? 

It’s very hard to pick just one word, but I think that “restless” could be the right one. I’ll choose this word because I never stopped. I constantly had things to do, either for university or for my own pleasure. Even when I didn't have much going on, I was always looking for some new things to do and experience.