Lawrence Asafo-Agyei
When I left the University of Ghana (UG) for the University of Valladolid (UVa) in Spain on an Erasmus+ programme, I hoped to immerse myself in scholarship for five months. Unbeknownst to me, my experience would be so much more. I found myself immersed in the culture of a people whose hospitality rivals that of Ghanaians. It was as though home was waiting for me miles across continents. Beyond academic mobility, the Erasmus+ programme is also about people, and shared values of inclusion, diversity and global collaboration.
Language Center: Ready for Spanish for Beginners
A City Steeped in History
The day my flight took off from Ghana, I expected to meet a chilly Fall weather in Spain. The wall of heat that welcomed me in Valladolid was shocking but a familiar surprise. It felt just like home.
The city of Valladolid blends tradition with modernity as cobbled streets, historic buildings and modern architecture flow from and into each other with profuse punctuations of green spaces.
Santa María la Antigua Catholic Church from the 12th century.
The vibrant plazas and tapas bars are hubs of nourishment and relaxation. Valladolid’s population of about 350,000, offers the intimacy of a close-knit community and the dynamism of a bustling academic hub. UVa itself, with campuses spread across Valladolid, Palencia, Segovia, and Soria, felt like the University of Ghana at a different location and time.
Diving Into Research
My doctoral internship was anchored by a clear roadmap: literature review, methodology development, proposal writing, and collaborative research.
Faculty of Philosophy and Letters
The Library of Facultad de Filosofia y Letras (Faculty of Philosophy and Letters) became a monastery and I, a monk among other monks, dedicated myself to a life of scholarship, poring over literature with monastic focus. Both online and physical resources proved invaluable, as I dug deep into the works of key scholars and thinkers. The heartbeat of my stay was weekly supervision meetings with my Host Supervisor, Alicia Gil Torres. I looked forward to each session with excitement.
Faculty of Philosophy and Letters
It was an opportunity to share new discoveries, to reflect and to sharpen my focus.
Wins and Stumbles
Like any meaningful journey, mine had its highs and lows. The deep dive into literature was exhilarating, and the structured guidance from my supervisor gave me clarity. I left Valladolid feeling ready for fieldwork.
Nonetheless, I could not shake off the loneliness of living in a foreign country. Spending Christmas, especially, away from the people I love was difficult. That is why I am thankful for the welcoming nature of the Spanish people. An important highlight of my trip was Christmas dinner with my flat mates. I miss the specially prepared chicken (pollo - pronounced poyo), patatas, reggaeton and most of all, the warm smiles and hearty laughter of the beautiful who gave me joy. I also miss the parks, long walks and having coffee on park benches with my nose buried in books.
Looking Ahead
Living in Valladolid was enlightening, but it feels good to be back home and to the Department of Communication Studies. My Erasmus+ mobility at the University of Valladolid was more than an academic internship, it was an opportunity for scholarly growth, new relationships and future partnerships. I am excited about ongoing conversations that will hopefully lead to collaborative projects between the University of Ghana and the University of Valladolid.