Get out of your comfort zone. The rest of your life is learning how to respond to uncomfortable environments. Those who do it well are successful.

These words are the advice of Dr. Rick Chaney, president and dean of the Madrid campus of Saint Louis University.

Chaney, while not consumed with his position at the University, has been married to his wife, Phyllis, for 23 years. She works at the Madrid campus with her husband. Serving as the housing director, she is described by students as the “campus mom.”

Chaney is father to three sons: one in college, one in high school and one in grade school.

Chaney, a former Full Bright Scholar, enjoys active hobbies such as skiing, hiking and running.

Hiking holds a special place in his heart, considering he leads the freshman on a five-day hike in the Pyranees Mountains every year.

However, his real passion is for running. Chaney runs everyday for more than an hour simply to relax. He has run the Madrid marathon three times. In fact, he makes an open invitation to students: anyone willing to run the marathon with him, Chaney will take to dinner at one of the restaurants in Madrid.

Running is an integral part of Chaney’s life. “I’m either running or working,” he said while relaxing in a big couch on the second floor of DuBourg Hall.

The Madrid campus is simply not another university, Chaney stresses. Its elements such as a designated campus mom and campus dog that make the Madrid campus special. “It has a down-home, family environment.”

Chaney said the Madrid campus is viewed, by some, as one of the premiere U.S. campuses in Europe. While Chaney is not sure if that is entirely true, he does know that his campus is on the same screen as those prestigious universities. “That’s reward in itself,” Chaney said.

Eight years ago, the Madrid campus consisted only of Spanish and visiting students. But now, it’s truly an international campus, with students representing 46 countries.

The shift in the campus population had a lot to do with the Spanish population. Spain has the lowest birth rate in the world. Currently, there are now more public and private universities in Spain. The combination of more universities and low birth rate created a significant change in demand for students.

While a lot of other schools struggled, the Madrid campus maintained its quota. The staff at the University recruited students, “It’s a much more internal evolution,” Chaney said. “We hold our own in the Spanish market.”

In addition to Saint Louis University, a lot of American universities find their students matriculating on the Madrid campus. “Actually, SLU students are the minority,” according to Chaney. “While about 130 students are from the home campus, about 90 other universities are represented.”

Classes on the Madrid campus are more international than here in St. Louis. Most classes have some sort of cultural activity with the class. Many integrate visits to other European sites, according to the dean.

For example, some history and philosophy classes take trips to Greece, the European government class travels to Brussels and the astronomy class goes to the Canary Islands. While these may sound like far-fetched field trips, Chaney says that the trips are essential to the learning process.

In the way of new projects, the University is working on a program that would offer a Masters in Spanish over three summers. This sort of program could be very successful for high school teachers, according to Chaney.

While the project is still in the works, Chaney remains optimistic. “It’s a program that offers a lot of opportunity for people who aspire to reach above their grasp,” he said.

Chaney is also attempting to provide host families with computers and Internet access. “No other University provides for their students in this manner,” Chaney said, proudly.

Just as Chaney forces his University to strive for new levels of achievement, he encourages students to always reach past their personal limitations. He encourages students, while in Spain, to take at least one non-Spanish course in Spanish, such as a theology class in Spanish.

“In the end, what’s more important: Your GPA or overcoming an obstacle?” Character is more important than any number, Chaney preaches. “Twenty years from now, you’re not going to remember your GPA, but things like truth and character, they’ll still matter.”

As advice for students considering the Madrid campus, Chaney invites them to come without fixed expectations. He advises students to relax. He notices that U.S. students are afraid to learn; they’re afraid to make mistakes.

He tells students to be less self-concious and they’ll learn more. “Throw yourself out a little bit; that’s how you grow in the end,” Chaney said.

Chaney also stresses the importance of students coming to Spain without preconceived expectations. “Go and see what happens,” Chaney said emphatically.

What really happens, according to Chaney, is that most students reach a new level of maturity. “They grow up emotionally, intellectually, and culturally,” Chaney said. “Going 5,000 miles away from home makes a student a different person when he or she comes back-whether they admit it or not.”

Students should study in Spain because they learn to work and live globally, according to Chaney. Students will be forced to meet challenges and experience things they don’t like, such as difficult classes.

Upon addressing challenges, they will learn to deal with them, and more importantly, rise above them. “That’s what life is all about,” according to Chaney. “Those who do it well are successful.”