This month, I had the privilege of representing the University of Oregon as a GEO Ambassador, visiting three spectacular Spanish cities where Ducks are diving deep into global learning.
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Oviedo was my first stop—a city that feels like a second home for Oregonians with its lush, PNW-like climate. This city has a rich ancient history which makes it the perfect launchpad for immersive, global learning. The city, first established in the 8th century between green rolling mountains, blends walkability with centuries-old culture. I was able to hike from the city center straight into the mountains to explore two rare buildings dating back to 8th-century pre-Romanesque architecture. During my visit, GEO Site Director Silvia Pérez led a fantastic excursion to two mountain villages and the coastal town of Llanes—equal parts stunning and educational. Silvia and I had an instant connection about the value of global and experiential learning, and it was fantastic to make this kind of global professional connection. The GEO office in Oviedo is just across the street from the University of Oviedo, which I now understand has fantastic resources for students planning to go into healthcare professions.
Second stop was Madrid, a global city of 8 million+ people with incredible mass transit that helps Globalworks interns commute to and from their employers, and also lets them easily access the Prado museum, the royal palace, extensive green spaces and gardens, not to mention the vast landscape of food options. May I recommend Empanadish? I got to meet with students interning at two Madrid companies, as well as tour the apartment where 27 Globalworks students are living. They’re gaining excellent professional experiences at their internships while also building a sense of community in their shared living spaces. I was struck by the sense of strong camaraderie along the interns living in a great apartment-like housing situation. They’re “adulting”, both professionally and socially, and in a very supportive and communal environment which makes Madrid feel more welcoming and less overwhelming.
The final stop was Segovia, the center of the Castile y León region, famous for the 16th century monarchs that funded the Columbian exchange. Old town Segovia has narrow cobblestone streets, a huge Roman aqueduct, a jaw-dropping gothic cathedral, and the Alcázar, the 12th century medieval castle that inspired Disney’s castle profile in Sleeping Beauty. GEO site directors Marian Rubio and Laura Arranz arranged visits with student host families and guided tours through Segovia’s historic landmarks. It was fun to see how the exchange students placed here have formed friendships and honed their Spanish. As I was leaving Segovia that Friday afternoon to return home, I met multiple students heading off for the weekend to explore other parts of Spain, a real testament to their new-found confidence in global travel! I knew nothing of this incredible town and was happily surprised that the GEO classrooms are located in the ancient part of town in a beautiful stone building just a 5 min walk from the Gothic cathedral. It was wonderful to learn that the Spanish language classes are offered at multiple skills levels. I sat in on both beginning and intermediate classes and learned a lot even though I was an exchange student in Spain as a high school student.
Each of these locations—Oviedo, Madrid, and Segovia—offers Ducks the chance to strengthen their Spanish, grow as global citizens, and explore the world with curiosity and humility. This visit has been incredibly helpful as I anticipate advising current and future students interested in global learning experiences. I can now offer a far more detailed and helpful description of the programs, class offerings, and GEO locations.
Amy Sibul
Internships & Career Readiness Director
2025 GEO Staff Grant Recipient
