The breathtaking landscapes, intricate architecture, and rich culture and history of Morocco were among the factors contributing to my desire to travel to the country. However, because of a combination of antiquated ideas about the way women are treated in the MENA region (Middle East and Northern Africa), combined with my own self-limiting beliefs, I thought it would not be possible to visit Morocco as a solo traveler. When I initially applied to SPC’s study abroad program to visit the country, I did so because I thought traveling with a group would be the only way to visit safely.
By experiencing Morocco through my own eyes, not only were Western mythologies of an antiquated, repressive anti-women culture dispelled—but so were many mythologies I had believed about my own inner world and the outer world at large. Firstly, I think it is very important to note that even walking outside alone with another girl my age at night, I felt safer in Casablanca than I do in St. Petersburg after dark. Most importantly though, in the absence of an explicit danger, I learned that I possess the courage within myself to step outside of my comfort zone, try new things, make connections, and expand my heart and mind in ways I did not previously know were possible. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity studying abroad provided me to see beyond my little world here at home .
– Naiyah, SPC Morocco Study Abroad Program, May 2025
Hello, my name is Aiden. I went to Japan with SPC’s International program in 2025, and I absolutely loved it. We did so much, went to so many cities, and learned new stuff. It was also great getting to know everyone else who joined me on the trip and making friends with them. In total, we were there for 10 days and went to 6 towns and cities, including everything in between them.
I had some things in particular I liked. Kyoto and Tokyo were my favorite cities to visit. I enjoyed how both of them blended Japan’s traditional culture and values, along with their modern culture with anime and video games. We went to a countless number of shrines, castles, and temples to learn so much about Buddhism and Shintoism, and more impactfully, it gave all of us the ability to think and see things more worldly.
I have to thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to make it. I worked at my job for eight months to afford this. I also thank SPC themselves for not only giving me the ability to go to this, but also giving me a scholarship to help pay as well. If I ever get the ability to do another study abroad program, I’ll definitely take the opportunity.
Getting lost in Marrakech Medina’s maze-like streets is an adventure. You’ll walk through narrow lanes packed with shops selling everything from bright lamps and leather bags to colorful spices and woven rugs. Remember to bargain when you shop, sellers expect it, so offer less than the asking price! Don’t miss seeing the beautiful Bahia Palace with its peaceful courtyards and detailed tilework. Nearby is the impressive Ben Youssef Madrassa, an old Islamic school where you can admire the ancient carved wood and stucco walls. Look up often to see the tall Koutoubia Mosque, a medieval-age wonder towering over the city; it’s a famous landmark you can spot from many places. Wandering here lets you feel the Medina’s exciting energy.
As the sun sets, head to Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the heart of the Medina. By day it’s busy, but at night it completely transforms! Hundreds of small food stalls light up, filling the air with delicious smells of grilled meats, rare spices, and sweet treats. You can try local snacks like tasty kebabs or lamb tagine. The square buzzes with performers, musicians playing, storytellers gathering crowds, and sometimes you might see snake charmers . Look towards the Koutoubia Mosque; its minaret looks especially beautiful lit up against the dark sky. Ending your day here, surrounded by the sounds, smells, and sights, is an unforgettable experience of Marrakech at night. It’s the perfect place for a true Moroccan adventure.
– Noah, SPC Morocco Study Abroad Program, May 2025
I have to admit, the beginning of the trip I was a dissociative mess. The plane was filled with people, I was squished between two men who snored. I was relieved when we finally landed, only to be stuck on a warm bus for three hours. We arrived at the hotel, had time to place our suitcases in a storeroom and dash to meet the other group for dinner. I knew, as we were speed walking to the restaurant, that this trip would be filled with plans unraveling. I could not have been more happy. The reason as to why I was not anxious as I explored a unfamiliar country and why the chaos was pleasing, was the people I traveled with. My Professors, my fellow SPC classmates and the British tour guides, made this trip feel like a wonderful dream. The group I traveled with were filled with lively personalities, that made even a introvert like me feel comfortable and accepted. There was never one moment where I had felt left out of left behind.
Our tour guides had such lovely humor as well. One joke I will never forget was with the tour guide showing us Tower of London. He was mentioning how posh a young boys school was. It was little moments like these that made the trip for me. Yes; witnessing various different cultures, just walking down Whitechapel Rd (where our hotel resided) and the architecture of hundred year-old buildings that would make any architect envious, was thrilling. However, the discussions I shared with my classmates, Professors, and our main guide Simon are discussions I could never and will never forget. London is a city that I have fallen in love with, I have the people I met to thank for that.
-Caley, SPC England Study Abroad Program, May 2025
In the beginning the trip we traveled all around Lisbon, or Lisboa as the Portuguese say it. We saw the beautiful Santa Maria Maior and the Praca do Comercio. My favorite food was a pastry called pasteis de nata. It is made of egg custard and is the sweetest, most filling pastry I’ve ever had. I also tried a bejjingho, a coconut ball that was very sweet. Portuguese is known queijo fresco, or fresh cheese. It is creamy and delicious. I love eating it in a sandwich with tomato. I loved traveling to Evora where they are known for cork- the same material used to make wine corks. I didn’t buy anything, but I touched the clothing and purses and felt the soft material.
In Evora we also saw the Chapel of Bones. It was so peaceful and quiet. It made me think about all the different lives and all that remained is their bones. I felt the impact of many who had come before me. In Evora I had a delicious veggie bowl for lunch. It had cucumbers, avocado, purple cabbage, edamame, rice and carrot. I also drank a matcha latte. In Spain, one of my favorite meals was nachos loaded with cheese, salsa and jalapenos. I also got to try Spanish churros dipped in chocolate sauce. Overall, it was a delicious trip! – Bea, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My study abroad experience was like nothing I have ever done before. It was truly a time filled with stories that I will tell for the rest of my life. My favorite place that we visited was Lisbon, Portugal. If I could choose any of the places to return to, that would definitely be first on my list. The architecture and geography were beautiful. Every single building was decorated with colorful tiles, and the city was right on the ocean. This was also my favorite hotel.
Next, in Evora, we saw the Cathedral of Bones. This was such an eerie sight, but absolutely breathtaking. So many beautiful churches and cathedrals were visited on this trip. Seeing such beautiful places is such an out of body experience. I also loved my time in Spain. Once again, the cities were absolutely gorgeous. Even the bus ride in between destinations was a sight to see. The food was also spectacular. My favorite part of the entire trip, hands down, were the cappuccinos.
The surface part of my experience was amazing. The cuisine, hotels, views, were all lovely. What meant the most to me, however, was how I felt changed as a person. I made new relationships and was taught new ways of life. The people I traveled with are now people I consider my best friends, and I see the girls that were my roommates on a weekly basis. There were also three other states that we traveled with, and I am still in contact with the friends we made. Not only did I learn European culture, but I also learned the culture of states across the country. This trip also really helped me to put my life into perspective. It is so easy to make small problems big, but seeing more of the world has stopped me from doing this. It is such a wakeup call to go so far away from home, meet new people, and see new things. It is a great teaching moment that life is so much bigger than what I experience on an everyday basis at home. I will be forever grateful for this trip and the memories I made. – Magdeline, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My experience studying abroad was amazing! I have previously been out of the country before, but on a family vacation, and this was a way to travel in a completely different way. The daily tours were so educational and interesting. We learned so much about the culture and the history of Spain and Portugal. I loved all of the new people I was able to meet from Florida, other states, and Spain. I was able to make new connections immediately and everyone was so nice!
My favorite stop we made was Lisbon. We stayed on the beach, so it was familiar of course, but I also just really enjoyed it there. It was so beautiful, and I had so much to learn about. I also think the people in Lisbon were more welcoming and I felt very comfortable there. I love big and busy cities like Madrid, but it was super cool being able to be somewhere a bit more chill like Lisbon. Overall, I had an amazing time and will absolutely be returning next year for the other spring break trip to Germany. – Teagan, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
Studying abroad really changed my perspective overall. I learned so much and made so many new friends and I am so grateful for this experience. When I first considered studying abroad I was very nervous to be away from my family and was super anxious about making sure I took care of everything, but the staff was very helpful with reminders and making sure everything was taken care of. I am so glad that I went through with the trip and decided to do it, because it ended up being life changing and made a huge impact on me overall and my growth as a person. The experience was unlike anything I have ever experienced and I cant wait for the next trip.
To anyone considering studying abroad I would highly recommend it. You get to meet tons of friends from the collegiate campuses and also bond with others you meet on the trip. Whether its people from other groups, tour guides, professors, or even people who go to your school that you’ve never met or never would have realized you are alike, the trip brings people together and helps you gain experience in life and expose you to different environments and cultures. – Allison, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My name is Anya, and I’ve lived my teenage years inside my comfort zone– going through the daily motions of school, work, and going out. Every day, I would postpone my “dream planning” for tomorrow (which really means never). I operated assuming that tomorrow was guaranteed to be there, and I ignored the passage of time as I procrastinated on my life. After traveling with SPC to Spain and Portugal– two countries rich with history and culture– my paradigm shifted.
I went on this trip excited to learn more about the history of Spain and Portugal. These countries were once the big dogs of Europe, and I was eager to see the cathedrals, cultural sights, and remnants of the people who came before us. As you may have guessed, I’m a history nerd. I already knew a bit about ancient history and Iberian history, so I was thrilled at the prospect of walking in the footsteps of the past and watching the stories from my books come to life.
While visiting a Chapel, an unexpected epiphany struck me on this trip– and I’ve yet to shake it off: Our ancestors were close with death– and I’m not just saying that because they are dead now– I’m saying that because they thought about it much more than we do. It’s present everywhere in Spain and Portugal. From the statues and paintings honoring dead people, to the remarkable edifices that dead people constructed– death is subliminally everywhere in Europe. Their relationship with death even seeps into how they live now– with their slow-paced and “live-in-the-moment” culture. Of course, it was a lot easier to die back then, but death is not any less inevitable now as it was centuries ago. Compared to us, death was much higher up on their list of things to zone out about.
I’ve spent my entire life cowering from my fear of death. I think we all do. The infinite darkness. The last goodbye. The sun exploding in 5 billion years. I avoid thinking about it at all to avoid pointlessly panicking. It’s not productive to freak out about something I have no control over and is 100% bound to happen if I don’t meet a cute vampire anytime soon. The only way I can get the answers is by dying, and by that point, I won’t be able to think at all. It’s a lose-lose. Well, one destination floored me and forced me to finally face my fear. That destination is floor-to-ceiling with death: The Chapel of Bones.
The Chapel of Bones in Évora is an unforgettable sight. You’re in the presence of 500 skeletons– all of whose bones know stories we’ll never hear. Five centuries ago, some monks had an epiphany on life and dug up a graveyard to create a chapel lined on the inside with bones and skulls. They created a space to reflect on the inevitable nature of mortality, which reminded them to be more present in life. My youthful and naïve sense of immortality totally shrank when confronted by this imposing and eerie scene. In this fast-paced world, we focus more on the now than what comes next: We create cheap infrastructure that barely lasts 30 years, while old Roman concrete is stronger now than when it was first paved thousands of years ago; We drain our Earth of resources and neglect thinking of the consequences for our future generations to endure, while our ancestors erected immortal cathedrals and cities for us to inherit. Why do we have a different attitude towards the future? – Anya, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My name is Mackenzie and I just attended the spring break trip to Spain with SPC! My blog post is below… “ Spain! What a trip! This was such an amazing experience, not only for the sights and sounds but for the friends I made along the way! This study abroad experience was not like the one I took last year (Italy 2024). This trip was a combination of 4 schools from around the states! The states included were, Florida (us), New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii! I made some great friends and hope to keep in contact with them. This trip pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. My favorite part was seeing the flamenco dancers and getting to dance with them! All the sights were beautiful and we had the best tour guides!
Thankfully, I did receive the scholarship for the trip, and it was so extremely helpful towards paying for it. SPC is normally so generous when it comes to study abroad scholarship because they want you to experience the world! I’m so grateful to have gone and experienced a new culture!”– Mackenzie, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My trip to Spain and Portugal was one of the best experiences I have ever had. After previously attending the Italy trip the year prior, I was eager to attend the trip this year. I had high expectations after such a phenomenal Italy trip, and this trip blew those expectations out of the water. From the experiences to the food, to the sights, and the people, this trip truly was one to remember. The one thing that made this trip so special was the people that we shared it with.
The group of SPC students and staff that went with us on the trip were so energetic, kind, and helpful that they helped make even the rainy days feel bright. We also got to share the trip with three out of state groups from New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii. They truly made the trip even more special, and we got to share amazing memories with them. One woman that really stood out and made the trip so memorable was our tour guide, Stefania. Her bright attitude, knowledge, and kindness helped keep positive attitudes throughout the trip. One thing I will take away is to always stay in our happy bubbles! – Riley, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
