From left, Midshipmen 1st Class Chelsea Wright and Andrew Metcalf and Midshipman 2nd Class Whitney Bashore stand in Spanish navy flight suits while on a study abroad program at the Spanish naval academy in Marin, Spain. Photo courtesy of the International Programs Office.

Midshipmen 1st Class Andrew Metcalf and Chelsea Wright and Midshipman 2nd Class Whitney Bashore studied at Escuela Naval Militar in the city of Marin on the southwestern coast of Spain.

While the main focus was increasing their language proficiency, the midshipmen found that they learned a great deal more through their immersion into the culture of Spain.

‘‘Many of the rich cultural experiences provided us with a deeper understanding of not only Spanish culture and its military, but also the importance of international interaction between Spain and the United States,” said Metcalf.

The three midshipmen lived in dormitories along with Spanish midshipmen who were able to help them with the language.

‘‘The Spaniards that we lived with were very helpful. Our interest in Spanish culture was matched by their interest in America’s culture,” said Wright. ‘‘An exchange occurred throughout the semester, creating interesting conversations and strong bonds between the two groups.”

While at Escuela Naval Militar, the midshipmen participated in military training along with the Spanish midshipmen. Training included many hours on training ships similar to the Naval Academy’s yard patrol crafts, drill practice and participation in a lecture series similar to the Forrestal series.

Their coursework matched that of their Spanish counterparts. The midshipmen took courses in international relations, maritime rights, tactics, propulsion and naval history.

‘‘Our professors’ method of instruction was very different from professors you might find in the United States. This fact challenged our ways of thinking and sparked discussion in class,” said Bashore. ‘‘Each course emphasized some important or interesting aspect of the Spanish mentality. For instance, the course in naval history demonstrated the Spaniards’ overwhelming pride in their past.”

The midshipmen said that while the courses provided insight into the Spanish way of life, the vast majority of their learning took place outside of the classroom during their daily interactions with the Spanish midshipmen.

The Escuela Naval Militar is the only place in Spain where students can earn a commission as a Spanish naval officer so the student body is made up of midshipmen from every part of the country.

‘‘Just walking down the hall we heard on a daily basis the difference between the Andalucian and the Galician accents,” said Metcalf. ‘‘When we wanted an inside view of a region we could simply ask and receive detailed information specific to that culture.”

The midshipmen also had many opportunities to travel to those regions and experience it firsthand. Between the three of them, they saw the famous Santiago de Compostela, beautiful Galician beaches and towns, and the capital city of Madrid and many of its surrounding towns.

‘‘Although Spain is a small country, its regions are varied and diverse,” said Wright.

‘‘Most importantly, we learned to assimilate in to an unfamiliar culture and place,” said Bashore. ‘‘It was by no means easy or comfortable, but at the end of the program we walked away with valuable knowledge and new life skills. This trip, without a doubt, helped in our development as future naval officers.”