Patricia Nova (Preferred Name: Trish)
Patricia Nova (Preferred Name: Trish) (she/her) - Stanford in Madrid
Major: Biology
Minor: Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
College year while abroad: Winter 2025
About the photo: A digi of me in Toledo when the cohort decided to take an unofficial trip together during one of the first few weekends. It was an amazing bonding experience and naturally, we learned a lot about the fabled "tres culturas."
Contact
Email: pnova04@stanford.edu or click here to schedule an appointment.
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Madrid?
I studied in France when I was in my freshman year of high school, and the experience was so transformative I decided that my college experience wouldn't be complete without more time spent abroad. Madrid was an obvious choice because on top of the amazing culture, food, and people, the Stanford BOSP Madrid program puts a huge emphasis on language acquisition, which was a top priority for me. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages, so being able to enrich myself in it was a huge plus. Not to mention, word on the street is that Madrid is the best city in the world, and after my time there, I can't help but wholeheartedly agree.
How did studying away support your academic growth?
I finished my Ways Requirements! Being pre-med, there are already a whole host of requisite classes I need to take throughout my time at Stanford, so Madrid was an amazing opportunity for me to take a step back from that and focus on what I might've been missing out on otherwise. Between flamenco, art history, and Spanish culture classes, I was able to get a better sense of the amazing breadth of possibility we have as Stanford students, with the amazing opportunity to learn about just about anything under the sun.
What did you learn about yourself during your study away experience, especially through any challenges or major cultural adjustments?
I learned that you do your best work when you're having the most fun. Getting to experience sides of yourself socially that you've maybe never tapped into also reveals a side to your academic and professional life that lets you be more productive, effective, and satisfied. Satisfied not only with the results of what you've been able to accomplish and create, but also with the process you took to get there.
Briefly describe a typical day and your favorite part of daily life in your program location.
I realized my first week that the quarter would pass in the blink of an eye, so I made sure to jam-pack my days to make sure i could experience as much as possible in those ten weeks. I'd wake up and spend the day at El Instituto, go to a patio after classes to unwind with a "menu del día", then do a mix of hanging out with friends, exploring the thrift stores, going to my drawing class, or shadowing at a hospital to round out my day. With the most robust metro system in the Western world, bouncing from place to place was a breeze (and free thanks to BOSP!). Above all, living in Malasaña (the heart of Madrid's nightlife) was my favorite part of daily life, for reasons I hope are obvious.
If applicable, how did participating in an internship, volunteership or experiential-based project help you grow professionally? What specific skills did you gain?
I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon at Hospitales HM Monteprincipe every week, and it was such an eye-opening experience. In the US, getting clinical hours is difficult as an undergrad, but in Spain where med school starts right after high school, the process is far more streamlined (lucky us!). Generally, the differences between the American and Spanish medical systems gave an incredibly informed perspective on how learning such critical skills is made far easier by consulting different styles of working, practice, and execution. Seeing the team dynamics, verbal and non-verbal communication, and the insane bone surgeries instilled me with a new passion for medicine I wouldn't have been able to source otherwise. The lessons I learned in my internship will doubtlessly inform my own practice as a physician, so I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
What was the most essential item you took with you on the program?
A red patent leather kitten heel (Madrileñas do not play around about footwear!)
What advice would you give students who are considering studying away?
Do it! Even if it's your first time abroad or even out of state, studying away is the best way to become attuned to the ever-globalized nature of the modern world. Whether through meeting new friends, learning a new language, or enriching yourself in a unique culture, being abroad will teach you things about yourself that you didn't know you had in you.