OXFORD, Miss. – Scott Shilstone of New Orleans, a junior at the University of Mississippi, is well on his way to accomplishing two of his education goals: becoming proficient in Spanish and more open-minded and cultured.
On his first study abroad, Shiltstone is enrolled this semester in classes at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, through an exchange partnership arranged by the UM Study Abroad Office. His courses include Spanish III, Spanish Cinema and Literature, and Basque Culture and Language. His academic hours count toward his UM degree in broadcast journalism with a Spanish minor.
“I want to learn what it means to be Spanish,” Shiltstone said. “More importantly, I want to be aware of the world outside the South, outside of the United States.”
He is living with a Spanish family who speak no English and his classes at Deusto are taught entirely in Spanish, both of which are pushing him to become fluent in the language.
“I am learning simple phrases that we don’t learn in the U.S.,” he said. “There is a lot more slang in Spanish than I was aware of.”
Shilstone is also keenly interested in learning about the culture and unique language of the Basques, an ethnic group inhabiting the western Pyrenees on both sides of the French-Spanish border.
“The Basque country speaks Euskerra, which is not derived from Latin like many languages are,” he said. “There are absolutely no similarities to Spanish, and many people throughout Spain do not understand it.”
As for travel, Shilstone said he has enjoyed checking out tourist sites as well as the “hidden treasures” that only the locals know about.
“So far, I would have to say that getting to tour the Guggenheim Museum has been very memorable,” he said. “Also, I really like the old architecture. Some of the houses and buildings are cracking and dark, but it’s in a good way – almost as if they are telling a story. I really feel like I am living in history.
“The art and music scene here is great. The food is good, but I do miss some American dishes. I have not been able to find a decent burger in this town.”
Another difference from America, Shilstone noted, is in the way the locals dress.
“Everyone here seems to really take pride in their appearance, so clothingwise, people dress really nice,” he said. “It’s funny, because I will roll out of bed and go to class, while others look like they have spent hours getting ready.”
Regardless of differences, Shilstone said he is committed to understanding the people and their culture.
“Everyone is really friendly and genuinely wants to get to know everyone for the most part,” he said. “I have a feeling we will stay friends after Spain.”
Before he returns home in mid-May, Shilstone plans trips to Portugal, southern France, Madrid and Segovia, and other locations in Western Europe.
While Shilstone has previously traveled to the U.K., Japan, the Bahamas and Aruba, this experience is different, he said.
“Those were vacations and short ones at that. Here, I am for four-and-a-half months with several opportunities to travel all over Western Europe. How lucky am I?”
After completing his undergraduate degree at Ole Miss in 2011, Shilstone plans to either attend graduate school or pursue a career in the broadcast market in California.
A graduate of Metairie Park Country Day School, Shilstone is the son of Mackie and Sandy Shilstone of New Orleans.
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