All posts by Jennifer Draper

This Summer I Participated on Two SPC Study Abroad Programs!

study abroad program
Study Abroad

 I registered to Study Abroad for two programs this summer. Spanish in Spain, and good old humanities in Italy. Let’s just say I feel in love with both countries, but Italy has this mystical spell it casted over me and I can’t wait to go back.

I spent a few days in Naples with my friend Scottie prior to meeting with my class in Rome. Scottie and I hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius where we saw all of Naples, Capri, Pompeii, ect.. It was breathe taking. We got the chance to make our own Naples’s legendary Pizzas in Dom’s kitchen and my first Italian expresso that gave me the biggest rush of adrenaline ever.

Taking an express train to Roma granted me the pleasure of seeing the Roman aqueducts which is where all of Roma’s water is supplied from the mountains. It is the best, coldest refreshing water I have ever had and it’s been flowing freely since 312bc.

Our second day in Rome was perhaps my most favorite I stood looking of the great emperor Julius Ceaser Forum. To help you understand I could see the building pieces and site in which a very powerful historical figure once stood mapping out plans to build his forum and break apart the Roman Republic. How many of us in the USA can stand anywhere and see ancient history surrounding us, how can we build the pictures in our mind of toga wearing, horseback riding times? It was absolutely breathe taking experience that will be hard to ever beat.

When walking in Roma everything is surrounded in history. Every turn down what looks like newer modern block leads to some form of ancient ruins, or roman walls. When I needed clean clothes I had to walk all the way across another country just to do laundry. Inside joke Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and that is where St. Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel Reside (Not very big at all).

Ahh… nights spent siting in Vatican city listening to birds and fountains flow with the gorgeous breeze and St. Peters Basilica all light up is yet another favorite memory.

Enter Florence and Michelangelo’s David…. as mushy as I sound it’s still one of the most beautiful pieces of art I’ve ever had the pleasure to see. When turning the corner, it is a breath-taking moment I will always remember.

I have talked of all I have seen, all my favorable moments and sights. The one other it the Appian Way… How many people have walked, horse backed, or carriage rode this pathway? The masterminds behind the structural builds of the Roman History have walked this path way. To know and say I had the privilege my self is an honor most other may never have or experience.

Studying abroad has opened my eyes to the history and cultures most take for granted. To be able to come over and experience significant history in its original place is like no other experience I have ever had. The people, the food, the passion it’s something pictures can never capture. You must physically be there to smell it and feel the history. Sounds crazy but there is a spell in which was casted over my group Kristy, Lesly, Tanner, Matt, Matthew, Michael, Dragon, Paul and Myself in which we formed a friendship. We experienced culture, history and shared our favorite experiences amongst each other. We have pictures to look back on but we also have the emotions we felt at these moments in our hearts forever to look back on.

Conquering the fear of traveling alone for the first time on my SPC Spanish Immersion Study Abroad program

SPC Spanish Immersion program
Spain 2019, Study Abroad

“Oh my God I’m doing it!”
“I’m flying to another country.”
“Ticket prices are not to bad.”
“OH!”
“Look here if I go a week earlier its way cheaper.”
“Oh God but I don’t know anyone”
“Hotels are so expensive.”
“Hostels? Didn’t I see a scary movie…”
“Dang I still don’t know anyone”
“What would I do for a week by myself?”
Watching news…. “OH GOD I CAN’T GO!”
“CANCEL”
“CANCEL”

On my shoulders sat an  Angel and Demon at work fighting back and fourth building excitement for adventure, and terror for the unknown.

Truth is excitement won!

I decided to head to Spain a week before the start of the SPC Spanish Immersion study abroad program.

Being in a foreign country knowing little to none of the language scared me. Being a women alone in a big city in a foreign country terrified me.

Taking the steps to push myself into an adventure of the unknown freed me from all my insecurities for life.

My adventures began and will end on foot some times blistered sometimes achy, but always worth the journey to the unknown.

Spending a week in Madrid by myself was eye opening of course I was worried still having only traveled with family. However I stayed in a hostel in North Madrid Art district and met some amazing people from all over the world. Saw all of Madrid and took a quick trip to amazingly beautiful Toledo. I formed at least two ever lasting friendships, and it was only a week.

Enter week 2  “Salamanca”, the start of the Study Abroad program. The adventures really begin. Arriving back to the airport with mature eyes and heart to find my roommate and get started on our journey was a tad bit time consuming with flight delays and all, but the stories of  pirated one eyed Jenn will live on (Group Joke).

Spending this last week in Salamanca walking miles a day surrounded by beautiful convents, churches, architecture, monasteries, cathedrals and glorious historical beauty while taking in the stories and histories with modern eyes is unlike any experience I have ever had. Standing 5000+ feet in the air on Pena de Francia looking at vast Spanish land for miles. Walking the path of Queen Isabella I  took after being crowned in Segovia’s Plaza Mayor in 1474 the same cobble stones, the same hills that brought her to her husband King Ferdinand II. I drank mountain water from the roman aqueducts, very clean and refreshing with a chill.

The exquisite beauty I have witnessed can never be valued. These amazing people I’m with and can now call friends have made it all so much more enchanting. To have to go back is sad but I do so knowing I can visit the photos and stories that will be known through us.

To know I almost backed out scares me. So much more can be said but the next adventure calls. Until then!

Come, See, Conquer, Live. Next up Italia….

oops..P.S. Forgot to mention I’m studying Spanish 1 and have learned so much being in this setting that I feel there is no other way to learn any easier. Stay focused, have fun, make friends, speak Spanish even if you’re wrong… just try, they love it.