All posts by Gloria Parrott

SPC Costa Rica: I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it!

Costa Rica (Vet Tech) 2025, Study Abroad, Travel

This was my first study abroad trip, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Since I’m an online student, I didn’t know anyone else going on this trip. That made me feel a little nervous. When we got to Costa Rica, there was definitely some culture shock. I’ve never been to another country where the first language wasn’t English. I knew that was going to be different, but I didn’t expect it to be as big a challenge as it was. I thought they would at least understand some English. The majority of people sort of did, but there were more than I thought that didn’t understand or speak English at all. I found it interesting that several signs were in Spanish, and underneath was the English translation. It was little things like that that were so different and weren’t what I expected to see.

As far as the experiences go, they were amazing. I had such a great time at each location we worked at. I think that was my favorite part of the whole trip. It was nice that we got to sightsee and experience some of the culture as well. We learned about the growth and making of coffee as well as the chocolate. Those experiences were fun and gave us insight into some of their productions in Costa Rica.

Our guide did a wonderful job showing us around the city of San Jose and educating us on the history of the country. The country is absolutely beautiful. We got to learn a lot about the animals that live there and are native to the country. We also got to see so many of them. We got to see and work with toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, marmosets, oceolats, sloths, kinkajous, coatis, raccoons, turtles, caimans, peccaries, dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and goats.

We volunteered at four different refuges in Costa Rica. Three of them were wildlife refuges, and the other one was mostly with dogs and cats. They are Refugio Animal, Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR), Proyecto Asis, and Lands in Love. I enjoyed all of them, but my favorites were the ones with the wildlife because I haven’t had experience working with wildlife before. I loved learning about the conservation aspect as well. We did a lot of food prep and feeding for the animals. We also cleaned their enclosures, created/provided enrichment, and reorganized an enclosure at one of the work sites. At Lands in Love, which was the dog and cat refuge, my group helped clean some of the cats’ ears and brush them. The second group helped with giving the dogs’ baths, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, nail trims, and drying them. The last group helped with physiotherapy, which is rehab physical therapy for the dogs that can’t walk due to deformities. I really enjoyed the food prep and creating enrichment for the animals.

Overall, the trip was really great, and I felt like I got a lot of experience with the side of veterinary medicine I’m not used to. It was definitely a learning experience; however, I would have loved to experience more of the veterinary side of exotics while we were there. We did get to see a veterinary team perform a bandage change on a sloth that was electrocuted by a power line. We also learned about darting animals for certain medical treatments when it’s challenging to capture the animal. The veterinarian gave us a lecture on wildlife restraint and immobilization. These experiences were all done at Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR). I thought they were great, and I wish we had gotten more experiences like that at the other sites, but I still enjoyed all of the experiences I did have. I think this trip had a lot of great opportunities, and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.

– Bethany , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

SPC Costa Rica: Significant and Breathtaking

Costa Rica (Vet Tech) 2025, Study Abroad, Travel

The time I spent in Costa Rica was so significant and breathtaking that I will never forget it. Before even the study abroad officially started, I am so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to explore the capital of San José. It allowed me to find a lot of real local wonders like local favorite restaurants and parts of town. Like, I was able to discover many local parks with statues or art installations. Another favorite aspect of the city I found so interesting when I discovered it was the quantity of Korean culture, specifically, that is present in San José with numerous restaurants and Barrio Chino, a walkable street in the city that’s really themed around it including an arch at the entrance of the area.

The study abroad itself was just as amazing. We were able to visit so many sanctuaries during our stay there and I hope we were able to provide a great service to both the workers and the animals while we were there. We were able to see how different sanctuaries went about accomplishing their mission statement regarding conservation and doing what’s best for the animals in their care. With that in mind, what we mainly did there was helping to feed the animals, fixing their enclosures, cleaning their enclosures, or making enrichment for them that varied from place to place. Which was quite interesting seeing how each place did things, even if they had same species.

Otherwise, the second highlight of the study abroad was the visits to the local tourist spots like a local coffee plantation, a waterpark based around a hot springs, a national park with a beach, a theater, a waterfall, and a chocolate factory because it let us really enjoy the country as traditional tourists, including being able to collect souvenirs, while being on the study abroad so it didn’t feel like we missed out on anything by on an educational trip in a different country.

Lastly, the third highlight of trip was my fellow classmates who I was able to share this experience with. I didn’t know most of the people going into this trip which added to the stress prior to the trip; however, I am happy to report that we all got along so well on this trip with many of us trading social media handles before departing for our home towns amidst the admittedly tearful goodbyes. It is really due to them that the harshest parts of the trip when things didn’t go to plan (as things do) or the weather was not kind (because it is the rainforest) that the trip was still enjoyable which gave us all fond memories to look back on, I only hope I was able to do the same for them in return.

– Haeley , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

SPC Vet Tech: Never could I have imagined…

Costa Rica (Vet Tech) 2025, Study Abroad, Travel

Costa Rica, a country rich in history, tradition, and scenery. Never could I have imagined all the fun new experiences and learning I would do on this trip. The first few days in San Jose, we toured the city and visited local attractions such as Doka Coffee plantation, where we learned how the coffee bean is grown and turned into one of the world’s most favored drink. We also visited La Paz waterfall gardens, which have many breathtaking views at multiple different falls if you can brave all the stairs. Our group volunteered our time to many different rescue organizations throughout Costa Rica. While at these facilities, we learned about conservation and rehabilitation efforts. Daily activities include preparing meals and medication for the animals, creating enrichment that provides the animals with environmental stimuli, and working on animal enclosures.

    Food prep includes dicing various fruits, vegetables, and proteins for a variety of animals, including monkeys, cats, and birds, to name a few species. Some of the facilities we volunteered at, we hid part of the prepped food in various toys and enrichment to help promote the act of foraging in the wild. This way, the animals would not become dependent on human hands to feed them, as some of the animals we worked with were in rehabilitation with the hopes of being released back into the wild.

     One of my favorite activities I got to be a part of was watching the medical team change a bandage on a sloth. One of the greatest injuries to wildlife in Costa Rica is electrocution, as power lines are not insulated. This particular sloth had to have its entire front limb amputated and had many other burns due to being electrocuted. The medical team carefully removed the old bandage, then cleaned and flushed out all the wounds, helped promote healing using a cold laser on the area of the amputation, and then re-bandaged the wound.

     The group was also able to enjoy our time in the beautiful scenery that can be found all throughout Costa Rica, from rainforests to volcanoes and waterfalls, to valley lows and mountaintops, and beaches along the Pacific coast. I thoroughly enjoyed waking up to catch a beautiful sunrise and watching the sky be painted in oranges and pinks at sunset. I was also able to enjoy Costa Rica utilizing my other senses besides sight. Including the smell of Coffee at the plantation and the smell of fresh air after the rain in the rainforest. The sound of the rainforest as I fell asleep to chirping birds awakening me each day. I am so glad I was able to be a part of this trip and learning experience. Costa Rica is a beautiful country filled with traditions, history, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and so much more. I can now use the knowledge and experiences I learned and apply them back home at work. Gracias Costa Rica!

– Danae , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

SPC Study Abroad: Pura Vida!

Costa Rica (Vet Tech) 2025, Study Abroad, Travel

Costa Rica was such an amazing country to visit either as a tourist or as a student. We had an an opportunity to work with a variety of species including, sloths, spider monkeys, capuchins, marmosets, squirrel monkeys, kinkajous, scarlet macaws, blue and gold macaws, hybrid macaws, amazons, turtles, ocelots, lesser horned owls, speckled owls, white tailed deer, peccary pigs, dogs, cats, horses, ducks, chickens, geese, guinea fowl, guinea pigs, rabbits. Treatment ranged from preparing their diets in an enriching way, modifying habitats, collecting food, maintaining habitat cleanliness, bathing, nail trims, ear cleaning, physical therapy, and wound bandaging.


When we were not helping with animals, we were exploring the many things Costa Rica has to offer. We learned about Rica’s rich history, language, unique culture, coffee plantations, cocoa plantations, trade networks, watched a concert by Son de Tikizia, and enjoyed Costa Rica’s rich nature. We were led by an amazing tour guide who provided a wealth of knowledge about their stunning country as well has a sneak peak into a citizen’s life in Cosa Rica. As the natives would say: Pura Vida!

– Arienne , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

SPC Spain: I didn’t just study Spanish; I lived it!

Spain 2026, Spain 2027, Travel

My trip to Salamanca, Spain was an unforgettable blend of culture, language, and connection. I stayed with a warm, welcoming host family originally from Peru, and my host madre was an incredible cook whose meals—ranging from flavorful stews to traditional Peruvian dishes—became the heart of our daily conversations. Living with them gave me a unique blend of Spanish and Peruvian culture which helped me grow more confident in my Spanish through everyday interactions. Exploring Salamanca’s iconic Plaza Mayor, I felt the rhythm of the city—from its golden glow at night to the lively cafés in the morning. I was awed by the towering cathedrals, especially the panoramic view from the towers, and deeply moved by the sense of history that echoed through the stone streets.

Food was another highlight—various jamons, hornado, vino de roja and, of course, plenty of churros con chocolate made every day a delicious adventure. But more than the sights and meals, it was the immersion that shaped me most. I didn’t just study Spanish; I lived it. Being surrounded by the language, people, and culture made it all feel real and personal. Salamanca gave me not only beautiful memories but also the motivation to keep traveling and studying Spanish. It reminded me that learning a language isn’t only about grammar—it’s about people, stories, and connections.

– Austin , SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2025

SPC Spain: I’ll carry it with me for the rest of my life.

Spain 2027, Travel

The three weeks I spent abroad in Spain were unforgettable and truly amazing. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to travel abroad, experiencing all the places I visited, learning from the things I encountered, and meeting the people I met. The program was jam-packed with activities that immersed us in the language and culture of Spain. Our classes were taught in Spanish, we talked with our host families in Spanish, and we interacted with strangers in Spanish.

The first couple of days were a bit overwhelming in that regard, considering all the new things that were all happening at the same time, but from the first week onward, everything clicked into place. Both my verbal communication and comprehension in Spanish have improved drastically. Our host family was amazing; they were warm, welcoming, and encouraged both me and my friend (with whom I was bunking) to speak Spanish. In addition, I was able to talk to students from France and Germany and compare and contrast the way of life between the US and their countries. Spending time just talking to the host family after meals was incredibly rewarding. It was great to be able to utilize what we learned in class.

The activities! Essentially every day we had an activity either before or after class that gave us a small glimpse into the history and culture of Spain. We danced, visited grand cathedrals, explored neighborhoods, and more. After the first week, I was amazed at how much we had done and seen in just one week. One thing I loved about Salamanca (and miss) was the walkability of the city. I loved walking everywhere and seeing all the beautiful architecture; the intricate facades of the buildings, the cobbled roads, and the glow of the buildings at night made walking and exploring the city really enjoyable. Oh, and walking we did. Lots of it.

Another thing we did lots of was eat ham. Ham chips, ham croquettes, ham ham ham. The abundance of ham in meals was a culture shock for me. On top of the daily activities, we also had excursions on the weekends. We visited Segovia where we saw the Alcázar de Segovia and a Roman aqueduct that’s almost 2000 years old; Avila, where we walked on the walls surrounding the city; La Peña de Francia, with breathtaking views; Alberca, a beautiful small town; San Sebastian, with the mixed people and architecture; and finally Biarritz, for the beach. On this trip, I experienced so many new things, met great people, saw amazing places, and learned so so much. I can’t emphasize enough how much this trip meant to me and how I’ll carry it with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you to all the people who made this trip possible. Thank you, SPC!

– Kai , SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2025

SPC Spain: Unforgettable!

Scholarships, Spain 2019, Spain 2022, Spain 2023, Spain 2024, Spain 2025, Spain 2026, Spain 2027, Travel

My experience in Spain was beautiful from start to finish. One of my favorite parts was all the hiking and walking. We were constantly climbing things that left us out of breath, but the views made it all worth it. I loved the exercise and how active the trip felt. Visiting places like Segovia and Ávila was unforgettable, and I got to see so many stunning sights. The people in the street were kind and wholesome, and I genuinely enjoyed stopping to talk with them.

The club culture was definitely different, not totally my vibe, but I had fun learning about it. I did miss my full American breakfasts, but discovering new parts of the culture made up for it. Everything was surprisingly affordable, and trying the cocktails was another highlight. Even little things, like how their bottle caps don’t come off all the way, made Europe feel so different in the best way.


What truly made my stay special was my host mom. She was an incredible cook and such a warm, welcoming person. I had the chance to talk with her a lot, and honestly, most of my growth in Spanish and confidence in understanding the language came from those conversations. My teachers also played a huge role. They weren’t just instructors, they were amazing tour guides who helped us experience the language on a deeper, more personal level. They taught us both formal and familiar Spanish, which made it easier to connect with people and feel like I belonged. Altogether, the trip wasn’t just about seeing a new place. It was about learning, growing, and feeling a little more at home in the world.

– Naja , SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2025

SPC Spain: The Colorful Culture of España

Spain 2022, Spain 2023, Spain 2024, Spain 2025, Spain 2026, Travel

About two months ago, as the days rapidly passed and time flew by, I had realized and so suddenly, it was May 31st. Soon I would be on the trip that I had been anticipating since the year before. There was such a wide range of emotion in the pit of my stomach, both fear and excitement being the most dominant feelings, as it was my first time flying and traveling alone, let alone to a different country. Little did I know, the next three weeks would be the most culturally enriching, horizon widening, knowledge building trip I would ever take in my entire life.


Salamanca- known for its historical university, beautiful antique architecture, massive cathedrals, and of course, La Plaza Mayor! All available right in the heart of España. Within the beautiful city, there is vibrant colorful life everywhere. Not only in what you see, but what you experience. When you walk down the streets, it is extremely difficult to ignore the rich culture poured into each building, since the past is well preserved, and blended with the present, as historical architecture appears to be untouched. Each day, I was granted the opportunity to learn, practice, and converse in Spanish with my host family, professors, and locals. I deeply enjoyed speaking there because it was amazing taking and combining what we would learn in class with what the native speakers would often say when communicating with one another, and overall, truly understanding the culture all the more. After class and on the weekends, we would be taken on many excursions, whether that was to explore the inside of the old or new cathedral, try different tapas, learn about historical jewelry like the Charro, listen to new music and try new dance, or explore different cities and learn more about the amazing history of España.


As a medical student, my goal within study abroad was to be able to speak Spanish more fluently to be able to communicate with others all the more. With SPC and Estudio Sampere I feel more confident within my ability to speak Spanish with others and have an overall deeper appreciation for España, and for that, I am eternally grateful. For Senora Levin, an amazing tutor and guide with so much love and patience for each individual student, the awesome professors, faculty, and host families, and of course, all of those who were involved with the study abroad 2025 trip, and SPC study abroad for an amazing scholarship, which helped tremendously.

– Ravin, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2025

SPC Spain: Beauty, culture, and connection!

Scholarships, Spain 2019, Spain 2022, Spain 2023, Spain 2024, Spain 2025, Spain 2026, Spain 2027, Travel

Salamanca, Spain was an unforgettable experience filled with beauty, culture, and connection. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the stunning architecture—especially the cathedral that seemed to tell stories with every carving. Walking through the historic streets, I felt deeply immersed not only in the Spanish language but also in the rich history behind every brick wall. Visiting nearby cities like San Sebastián, La Alberca, Ávila, and seeing the amazing aqueduct in Segovia added even more depth to the journey. Each location offered its own historical significance, and the natural beauty of the region left a lasting impression.


What made the experience even more special was being part of a group equally passionate about learning Spanish. It was inspiring to be surrounded by people who shared the same goal, and we supported each other as we practiced the language in real-life settings. The locals were incredibly welcoming, and I loved being able to talk with them and learn from their stories. Experiencing a local festival was one of the highlights of this trip. It was amazing to see how the community comes alive with music, dancing, and tradition. The atmosphere, the people, and the daily life in Spain made this trip not just a learning opportunity, but a deeply enriching cultural experience I’ll never forget.

– Katrina , SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2025

SPC Morocco: Leaning into Culture Shock

Morocco 2025, Scholarships, Study Abroad, Travel

My time in Morocco is easily the most enchanting time of my life. I have done some traveling in Europe, but nothing could prepare me for the culture shock I experienced. When I say culture shock, I want to be clear, I mean in the best way possible. Everything was a new and magical experience, from the food, to the language, to the dress. I was constantly in awe of this culture so different from my own. The cities blend antiquity with modernity in a way I had never experienced. It was fascinating to see five hundred plus year old ruins serving as the backdrop for modern films like Gladiator. And the people I met! Never have I come across a kinder, more welcoming country. Every single person I met from the time I stepped off the plane until I returned to Miami welcomed me to their country. You can tell they really meant it. I made so many friendships in such a short period of time and I cannot wait to return and see them all again someday.

            The biggest lesson I learned on this trip is that sometimes it’s best to lean into discomfort. To push your own boundaries in the name of self-exploration. You will not only learn things about yourself, and what you are capable of, but you will learn more about the world you live in. When I say everything about Morocco was new, and exciting, it was also at times confusing and maybe even a little scary. You have to embrace the confusion and look to the locals and those around you for clarification, recommendations and more. This is how you make the best of your time studying abroad. I brought back so much for this experience mentally (and physically, i bought a lot of souvenirs). I can’t recommend study abroad enough, and pick the trips that will immerse you in a culture so different from your own. Go to Africa, and Asia and places off of the beaten path. Eat food you’ve never seen before, go to the local markets, start a conversation with the store owner and watch your world expand. While the mosques, kasbahs, and medinas were a lovely experience, my favorite part of this trip was the little moments, and the hospitality I experienced that guided me through a new culture.

– Danielle, SPC Morocco Study Abroad Program, May 2025