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
During my time studying abroad in Spain and Portugal, I was able to take note of a few cultural changes that highlighted the underlying beliefs of these countries. For example, both incorporated Catholicism much more strongly in their holidays and daily life, with ancient churches and cathedrals still being used for congregations even today. However, a notable difference between these countries was the food, with Portugal having a focus on seafood like octopus and cod, in contrast to Spain having a focus on complete, but small dishes known as tapas to complement a meal.
While I would have been able to discover this information myself at home, I would have never been able to have the complete cultural experience that I had without studying abroad. Traveling on your own is an option, but with the study abroad program, there is a dedicated schedule and tour guide to help immerse travelers into the culture. I also find that studying abroad is particularly incredible when bringing or finding new friends. To me, there is nothing like being immersed in a foreign country with the gift of friendship! – Nyden, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
This is my second year attending the Saint Petersburg High School study abroad program, and it didn’t disappoint. Last year, I ventured to Italy, where I met some of my closest friends and shared some of the best experiences of my life. This time, my memories were just as incredible. One aspect I loved that was different from last year was that we were grouped with other high schools, allowing us to meet people from all around the country, including New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii. This not only gave me the opportunity to form new friendships but also to network with people from different locations. It’s always exciting to connect with others from diverse backgrounds.
I also deeply enjoyed immersing myself in the culture. Not only was I able to actively practice my Spanish-speaking skills, but I also experienced both Spanish and Portuguese traditions firsthand. For example, we took flamenco dance lessons, tried new foods, and explored historic landmarks that enriched my understanding of the region. Walking through the cobblestone streets of Lisbon and seeing the intricate tilework on historic buildings gave me a new appreciation for Portuguese architecture. In Spain, I loved visiting markets and enjoying authentic tapas. Overall, it was an incredibly positive experience, and I made memories that I will cherish forever. – Hayden, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
My name is Maddie, and I recently went on a study abroad trip to Spain and Portugal. We went to Lisbon, Evora, Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid. The study abroad experience was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. Getting to experience Europe with a group of peers was excellent. The environment created by the tour guides and teachers was amazing as well.
On our trip, we explored so many different places and got to experience the culture of Spain and Portugal. We saw lots of striking architecture and art, while also enjoying the delicious food. I learned so much about the places we went to, while having fun. I would 100% recommend this experience, I had a blast. If you’re thinking about traveling with SPC I would totally do it! – Maddie, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025
One of the main reasons why I applied to the St. Peterburg College dental hygiene program was because it was the only program at least in Florida that offered a study-abroad volunteering experience for their students. However, I was questioning applying near the deadline since school was very hectic and I work a part-time job, so I did not know if leaving for a little over a week would interfere with school grades and money coming in for my bills and stuff. Thankfully, on the last day for applying, I decided to do it because I had some savings just in case I needed them, but besides being one of the reasons why I wanted to come to SPC, I also benefited from something similar back in my country when I was a kid which made me want to do it more. Consequently, I was happily chosen to go and the group needed to start thinking about how to fundraise money to cover all of our expenses.
We were a group of nine girls, and our professor, Ms. Krueger, had a lot of creative ways to get money. Each one of us had to oversee a fundraising event, including four restaurant events, a school sale, a garage sale, a lumpia sale, a symposium table selling dental hygiene stuff, a couple of us applied for scholarships, and many people including family and friends donated money for our trip. All of us helped and collaborated in each event to reach our goal.
The experience overall was amazing, we arrived before the weekend started, so we had two days to enjoy the island and appreciate the opportunity. On Sunday, we had a mandatory meeting to discuss everything that was going to happen in the next couple of days and the different rules we had to follow. I had the opportunity to visit two of the sites twice which were the school and the jail. On my last day, I was in the staff clinic where we saw most of the patients and gave back to all of the staff people in the resort for their great service and care for us during our stay. Every day I learned so much, met many wonderful people, connected with my classmates, and practiced my skills as a soon graduate. Besides that, we enjoyed the resort’s restaurant and got to visit the straw market to buy souvenirs for me and my family.
As a learning experience, I take with me knowledge, teamwork, amazing memories, and the satisfaction that many people received dental care that they have never had. Leaving the Bahamas was a mix of emotions because I simply just wanted to keep doing it. Moreover, I am deeply grateful to have been chosen to do this and will be going back to the Bahamas or to another island that needs it soon as a registered dental hygienist. – Ingrid, SPC Bahamas Dental Study Abroad Program, January 2025
