As someone who had never traveled internationally before, I was both very excited and a little nervous. My nerves were instantly at ease once I met my amazing instructors and classmates. Professor Levin and Professor Albrecht were the most incredible teachers, tour guides, mentors, and even mothers. They not only set us up for success academically, but they also planned the most amazing trip with some of the most incredible once-in-a lifetime experiences. I met lifelong friends and learned lessons I will remember forever. From the incredible excursions to San Sebastián and Biarritz, France, to the tours of the amazing streets of Salamanca, every moment was truly unforgettable. Salamanca was truly one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been, and we were so lucky to be able to call that city home for three weeks. From the second I got there, I knew I was never going to want to leave, and until my last second there, I enjoyed every moment. I also cannot thank Estudio Sampere enough for being so welcoming and supportive throughout our whole semester there. Our teachers were so kind and truly cared about each and every one of their students. Not only was it about learning the Spanish language, but they truly wanted us to learn about the history of Salamanca and Spanish culture as a whole. From daily excursions to new places every day to a giant end-of-semester celebration with the most amazing paella ever, the school and instructors truly went above and beyond to make sure we got the most out of our experience.
Personally, I have to say the most amazing part of this trip was the friends I made and the fact that we got to experience this new part of the world together. We shared many laughs over dinner and dancing and made memories I will cherish forever.If studying abroad is something that you have been interested in exploring, I highly recommend this program through SPC. The opportunity to travel internationally and learn new things while getting college credit is too good to pass up. So to SPC, Estudio Sampere, and Salamanca, thank you for the experience of a lifetime, and again, if you are considering this program, I promise you won’t regret it; it’s truly unforgettable. – Ryan, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2023
Being my first time traveling out of the country, I was incredibly anxious about this trip, especially having to use an entirely different language that I wasn’t very experienced with. Despite the anxiety and challenges with conversing, you surprisingly become accustomed to the environment fairly quickly. It took me about a week to feel comfortable in my daily routine in Spain, to which I definitely had a way better time from then on. A large part of this is due to the professors, both from SPC and Estudio Sampere, and the friends I made on the trip as well. Your skill in Spanish, mostly in confidence, will absolutely improve, more so than you think. Of course, I didn’t become fluent, nowhere near, but it broke down my wall when it came to sparking conversation in a different language which is incredibly key.”
“The events on the trip themselves were spectacular. There was never a dull moment within the plaza the entire three weeks, so you’ll find something to do each day. The excursions themselves were incredibly fun, my favorite being our visit to Alberca during Corpus Christi, a small village a ways from Salamanca. The vistas and local culture was beautiful to experience first hand. The entire trip has given me different avenues for possible careers within my major, so this has been an incredibly important milestone for me, genuinely.”
– Tyler, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2023