SPC student, Keith Martin, is ready to leave for Spain with St. Petersburg College after receiving a study abroad scholarship:

“Undeniably, the day one discovers their soulmate or hears the first cries of their newborn baby forever impacts their life’s journey. However, life changing events are not always grand ordeals planned out months in advance with seating plans, caterers, and a multitude of coordinated reservations each dependent upon the other. Rather, such moments are thrust upon one as a small-town fire whistle echoes through the valley a few minutes before midnight, or as silence overwhelms the hearts of intensive care unit nurses through the din of alarms from ventilators, monitors, and infusion pumps.

The echoes of that fire whistle and the cry of the engine’s siren as I hastily buckled the straps on my air pack, mask, and helmet with practiced care forever marks the night I would decide to become a pediatric nurse. As the helicopter lifted off from the gravel parking lot of the feed store, with the critically ill child, I pledged to serve others in a new way.

The cacophony of alarming ventilators, pumps, and monitors from an active pediatric intensive care unit faded away as the mother of a recently deceased child asked me if “I would be okay” following weeks of caring for her critically ill son. “No,” I replied. Though her English language skills were limited, her words were still so powerful. Thus, I embarked upon a journey towards fluency to repay her kindness with understanding, seeking to no longer face the eyes of a terrified parent without the ability to effectively communicate.

Such events set the stage for my aspirations at St. Petersburg College. With a pursuit of Spanish language fluency solidified, I happened upon the Spain study abroad program just days before the application deadline. Reviewing our finances into the early hours of the morning, my wife and I struggled to determine where the funds for such a venture would emanate from despite the great value of an immersive language program. Thus, with hope in my heart, I applied for both the study abroad program and the many scholarship opportunities available. I practically jumped into the air as I read the email congratulating me on receiving a scholarship to study abroad in Spain.

With both fear and excitement, I look forward to studying Spanish language in Spain. All great goals should be a bit scary or perhaps one’s sights have not been set high enough. No longer will I experience Spain’s culture and language through Hemmingway’s eyes, but with my own! I anticipate an explosive expansion of my Spanish language skills and a deeper understanding of the Hispanic culture. While the intellectual growth and development I will attain during this experience is valuable in and of itself, the benefit to the children and families I care for in our area ultimately drives my pursuit of this experience.

Study abroad and change your life. Study abroad and change someone else’s life! The intellectual and cultural knowledge you gain may have far reaching impacts, yet untold.  Plan a life changing experience by studying abroad and keep your eyes open for the unplanned life changing moments all around you. Live a life that serves and inspires others. Change yourself, change the world!”

-SPC study abroad student, Keith L. Martin

Click here to learn more about SPC study abroad programs and study abroad scholarship.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. 

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4731 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu