My trip this March was unforgettable.

I laughed, cried and learned more than words can express.

There were so many amazing experiences that it is hard to narrow down the thoughts that flood my mind.

This was the first time I traveled without my family. Some would have thought this impossible for a non-speaking person like me. In my life I have had many educational setbacks. However, this trip made up for them all. I feel like this trip to the UK gave me an opportunity to explore on my own. This gave me the autonomy I had so long craved. In my life, there have not been many moments where I have had the chance to experience that.

In the United Kingdom, I studied alongside my fellow study abroad students. I really struggle with being accepted by students that don’t understand my disability. They assume that I am not competent. This trip gave them the time they needed to get to know me. It also gave them time to learn about my capabilities. It also gave me time to get to know them on a deep level. Everyone bonded and I think we will be lifelong friends.

In Ethics I learned, there are virtues that are valuable traits to have. One of them is to be curious.

On this trip, I had my curious thirst for adventure quenched.

We went to several historic landmarks. My favorite by far was the place where John Lennon played, Strawberry Fields. At the time it housed orphans; it now helps neurodiverse find employment that is appropriate for their particular abilities. The residents there are supported by. Yoko Ono. They are, in essence, doing what I did by going abroad. They are gaining autonomy and independence. People are seeing their worth.

Sometimes I feel like I am living in a dream because for so long I was denied opportunities like this, ones that stimulate my curiosity. I cannot wait for the next one. Where will SPC take me next?
– Nico, SPC England Study Abroad Program, March 2023