She met her first Tar Heels in Spain

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Looking back at the start of her college experience, Valentina Fernandez Escalona remembers excitement about becoming a Tar Heel but nerves about spending her first semester across the Atlantic Ocean at the University of Granada in Spain.

Fernandez Escalona participated in Carolina Global Launch, a program enabling first-year students to study abroad at a partner university during their fall semester and then enroll at Carolina in the spring.

Now weeks away from being one of the 7,100-plus Tar Heels to graduate, Fernandez Escalona is grateful her path began overseas. She immersed herself in a new culture, earned college credits and befriended fellow Tar Heels.

Those friendships remained strong upon arrival in Chapel Hill, where she also made new friends and found a home with the Tarpeggios, one of Carolina’s a cappella groups.

Fernandez Escalona, a linguistics and human development and family sciences double major, will remain at Carolina for graduate school to study speech-language pathology at the UNC School of Medicine.

Check out photos and hear from Fernandez Escalona about collegiate journey — from excursions in Spain to graduation photos at the Old Well.

Fernandez Escalona and fellow CGL participants partake in a citywide scavenger hunt on Sept. 28, 2022, prior to the start of their fall semester classes at the University of Granada in Granada, Spain.

“I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I wasn’t thinking the first semester. But it was so amazing. Through CGL, I think the biggest thing I gained was confidence. I learned how to advocate for myself and speak up.”

Fernandez Escalona (left boat, far right) and fellow CGL students visit Retiro Park (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat” in English) on Sept. 22, 2022, in Madrid.

“Learning how to navigate a different country’s culture and traveling by myself just made me so much more confident … I’m so grateful that experience taught me to push myself and go out of my comfort zone.”

Fernandez Escalona (at center wearing glasses) hangs out with friends during Sunset Serenade held on Polk Place on Aug. 21, 2023. Fernandez Escalona met most of the friends pictured during her first-year fall semester in Spain through CGL.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to meet so many different people from UNC. I feel like everyone I’ve met is so different and comes from such different places, but everyone is also so passionate and motivated. I feel like it’s motivated me so much to be the best that I can be.”

Fernandez Escalona (center) performs with fellow members of the Tarpeggios at Sunset Serenade held on Polk Place on Aug. 18, 2025.

“Being a part of the Tarpeggios was one of my favorite parts of colleges. I feel like I was I was already so lucky part that I got to be a part of Global Launch because I met such amazing people … But then the fact that I got to meet the Tarps and be a part of that group with people who care so much about making music and are just so passionate about the same things that I am — I didn’t think that I would get two groups of people that I connect with so much.”

Fernandez Escalona (sixth from left) and friends make pre-graduation photos on McCorkle Place on April 12, 2026.

“I’m definitely going to miss my friends the most. I feel so lucky that I got to meet so many amazing people and connect with so many people. I know those connections are going to last my whole life, but I’m still sad that I’m not going to see them every day on campus.”