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Hi! My name is Ama and I am a fourth year doing post-A-Level German and Spanish. 

Why did I choose to study these languages? Well, for German – as much as I love learning about the history and culture, I learnt it because of my cousins. One of them didn’t really speak with me when we were younger and I wanted to connect with him so I learnt German. I did later find out that he could speak English perfectly well, he just didn’t like talking! I have still gained so much from learning German and don’t regret it at all.

As for Spanish, I grew up with a Venezuelan au pair speaking Spanish and she had a huge impact on my life. I lost it a little after she left and jumped at the opportunity to study it again. I guess I studied languages to further connect with people close to me.

I did my year abroad in two places - first Berlin, studying Art History at the Freie Universität. I then did a work placement in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Neither place was part of my original plans actually! I ended up choosing to study at a university because it was easier to arrange (in Europe at least). I chose Berlin because I felt it aligned most with my personality and interests in terms of what it has to offer. I thought it would allow me to nurture and explore my interests as a creative – which it absolutely did! Mexico is an incredible country and I would absolutely go back for the people and culture alone! It surprised me as I had not looked into being there before my other plan fell through, so that was refreshing!

Both places were very different in almost every way. In terms of navigating the cities, Berlin was easier because of the transport system which as a Londoner helped me map it out a bit better. Berlin is vibrant, engaging and challenging. Finding your people, places and passions within the city is the way to thrive! Perhaps that is true everywhere, but I felt the need to ground myself in those things more in Berlin. 

Going to Playa and trying to understand myself locationally was harder because they didn’t have the same public transport infrastructure, but since it was smaller it was easier in that sense. The pace of life was completely different in Mexico - I would say that was the highlight of the year abroad as it allowed me to reflect a lot more and in many ways, I felt some peace. It was hard to adjust to life back home after that though!

Lots of people wonder how we arrange work and study placements on our year abroad. The Year Abroad Office sends different opportunities for work placements, internships and British Council throughout second year which is very helpful. The job I ended up doing had previously been advertised by them. They also have connections with institutions across Europe and so studying was very easy to arrange.

My first connections in Berlin were with other international students on the Cambridge MML course, as the university held different events for us to meet. There were quite a few other MMLers who were in Berlin so we would regularly meet up. I then made friends with others through these connections and through making friends with locals on my course. In Mexico it was much harder as I was working and in a small tourist city. I didn’t really make as many friends which was hard, but I had quite an intense job which kept me busy. I also played tennis every day and built a friendship with my coach which was nice!

The most unexpected thing on my year abroad was how difficult it was to get a student visa in Germany…! However, the very best experience was going snorkeling with turtles whilst visiting the Mayan ruins in Tulum!

I tried some amazing food on my travels as well - Maultaschen! Horchata! Of course I’d be silly not to add Döner to the list…one of the best spots in Berlin is Rüyam in Schöneberg on Hauptstraße; well worth the queues! I have to say though, I really missed having Ghanaian food - and speaking Twi! 

There are so many things I wish I'd known before going abroad! At the top of the list is probably a positive thing – it is okay to explore places on your own. You don’t always need to have lots of friends to have the best year abroad. Friends help, and the friends I made are my friends for life, but I also really cherish the memories I made on my own and how much I got to grow as a person.

Something I'd say to people about to start their year abroad, or a languages degree, is not to stress too much! Your language(s) may not come out perfect, but your confidence improves so much and that for me, is the most important thing in language learning. I think speaking without overthinking is the hardest part of learning a new language; and my studies have made me more confident to engage in conversations, pick up phrases from other speakers, and understand my mistakes to perfect them in the next conversation. I don’t shy away from speaking either language as much as I used to! Once you realise that people truly do not care, it is much easier. More often than not, they’re surprised you took the time to learn their language and not that you mixed up the dative and genitive.

One day, I want to use my languages degree to live abroad. I can’t wait to live life away from the UK! In all seriousness, I have learnt so much about myself and what I am capable of on my year abroad. I have learnt to put myself out there and to build routines that make me happy.

Quick Questions: 

Q: Favorite word or phrase in a different language? 

A: I hate this question because I can never think of a word when I need to! I think I'll say:

German: typisch – just means typical but I love the way it’s pronounced and I will always find a way to weave it into a conversation. Maybe also klauen – to steal. Again, I just think it sounds funny! Klaue is a claw - I think the two words are almost (though not quite) homonyms and the image of someone’s claw taking something is again funny.

Before I say all the words in the German language, though, I also love a Spanish colloquialism I picked up in Mexico, extrañitis. it’s the feeling of missing someone or something so much you almost feel sick. Kind of like nostalgia but it can be more sad than anything. It was a great word for what I was feeling at the time.

Q: Why did you choose the MML course at Cambridge? 

A: I liked the diversity of the course content, the opportunity to study things beyond purely literature. Its allowed me to explore things I enjoy like art, photography, music and history in my work. Though I don’t really do any medieval papers anymore, the benefit is definitely that it lifts a time period off of what you can look at and learn about!

Q: Can you tell us a bit about MML at Murray Edwards? 

A: The MML community at Medwards is amazing – all the Fellows [academics] are just incredible people and it has been a pleasure to learn from them and hear about what interests them. We all have a really close relationship and there is an amazing support system between students and teachers. These are people who will have a special place in my heart!