Studying abroad in Spain for three weeks was a life-changing experience for me. We stayed in the amazing city of Salamanca. Salamanca is known for its stunning architecture, Cathedrals, delicious Tapas and vibrant student life. Every morning, I walked through the beautiful and historic Plaza Mayor, soaking in the atmosphere. The Plaza Mayor was one of my favorite places in Salamanca. Here, everyone in the city comes together every day to enjoy one another’s company, watch talented local street artists, and enjoy cultural dishes.

During my weekends, we visited the antique cities of Ávila and Segovia, both offering unique glimpses into Spain’s rich history and culture. Ávila’s medieval walls, breathtaking castle known as the Puerta de Alcazar, and Segovia’s iconic Roman aqueduct were sights I will never forget. One weekend, we ventured further to the picturesque coastal cities of San Sebastián and Biarritz. In San Sebastián, we indulged in delicious Pintxos and toured the beautiful La Concha Beach. Biarritz, just across the French border, gave us a glimpse into French culture with its stunning coastline, beaches, and charming streets. The combination of Spanish and French cultures during this trip enriched my understanding of European diversity. Reflecting on my time abroad, I realized how these experiences broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation for the culture. I will cherish the memories and education of this trip.
– Cynthia, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024

The scholarship has helped me a lot in a way I can only describe as a miracle. Before finding out about the trip to Spain, I didn’t believe I would go overseas until I went over there to study in Denmark. I saved up enough through my work to cover most of the expenses, but still had more I needed to cover. The scholarship I received helped me cover the rest of the cost, and without it, I would have never been able to go. I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity this has given me. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. Because of this trip, I was also able to go to Denmark afterwards and visit family I had never met before at a low price.

I had never been overseas before and this was my first time. Going to Spain is definitely worth it in every way, it’s such a beautiful country and the sights are worth every penny. I can only hope that I can experience something like this again, so I’ll cross my fingers, and I’ll wish and wish to someday be able to go again. The sights, the buildings, the culture, the history, everything was just so beautiful and memorable. Thank you so very much for this amazing gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life.– Jade, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024

My study abroad experience in Salamanca, Spain, was a memorable aspect of my 2024 summer. Immersed in Spanish culture, I explored historical sites ranging from the local library built in the late 1400s to a medieval town that is about an hour away from Salamanca. As a Cuban-American, I appreciated the opportunity to refine my Spanish language skills, focusing on grammar and fluency. The supportive environment provided by the professors and staff in Studio Sampere and Professor Levin significantly boosted my confidence in speaking Spanish and my grammar skills. Along with a huge thank you to my wonderful grammar professor, Cecilia, for being a helpful hand in building my confidence in my grammar and effectively communicating more comfortably in Spanish. With their help, I was able to get over my initial anxiety and build a solid foundation in my mother tongue.

This program also cultivated personal growth and meaningful connections with students in my classes. The immersive nature of the experience fostered deep relationships with fellow students and locals, which helped my cultural understanding and bonding. Adding on, engaging with diverse individuals in various settings broadened my perspective and enhanced my adaptability to wherever I went. The combination of academic support and real-world practice not only sharpened my Spanish proficiency but also cultivated a sense of belonging and community, not just with myself but with others around me. Overall, my time in Salamanca was priceless, leaving a lasting impact on my personal and academic journey that I highly recommend for individuals who seek a life-changing opportunity.
– Nicole, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024

Study Abroad Spain 2024 was a great experience that I believe every student should have the opportunity to participate in. The activities were both challenging and engaging, and it was evident that participants were eager to fully engage with the program.
The system and class program were highly effective for students who did not speak Spanish, as they were required to think in Spanish in order to communicate with teachers in Spain. The families were courteous and helpful. In my case, I felt at ease with my mother, Genoveva, from Spain, who was always attentive to my needs and those of my housemates.
The Estudio Sampere Program proved to be an invaluable resource, offering insights into Spanish culture writing and grammar.
I would like to express my gratitude to the International Program at SPC for providing me with this valuable opportunity to gain such a remarkable experience. I would also like to thank Professor Roxana Levin for her dedication, patience, energy, and positive attitude in working with students from diverse backgrounds in a foreign country.
I highly recommend this experience. – Maria, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024

My experience in Salamanca was amazing. Our group goes to school near plaza de mayor every day. It makes going to school fun and being able to walk around and seeing nice views can be a stress relieve for students. Plaza de Mayor is beautiful during the day, but at night, it is stunning. All the lights will be turned on, and the buildings look like palace. This is a picture from the nighttime.

One of the most amazing things about this study abroad is that everyone was able to know more about each other and made some deep connections. We started to call each other our family instead of peers. We all go to the same school, we came from different places, different age groups and different races. Getting to know different perspectives through the others is part of study abroad experience.
Salamanca is different than study in college. Professors in Spain uses Spanish to teach lessons instead of English. While students are outside of school, their Spanish learning do not stop, it continues. Everyone in Salamanca speak Spanish, this strongly encourages everyone to practice their Spanish speaking skill.
When I came back to United States, I felt more confident to speak in Spanish, and I could even interpret more Spanish than I ever before!
– Siyuan, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024

My study abroad experience was one to remember. Many memories and lifelong connections were created. Living in España with a host family gave me the ultimate cultural exposure necessary to understand and process the difference from the culture in Los Estados Unidos. My host family were very friendly, kindhearted, loving, considerate, and understanding people. They knew my goal was to learn Español more and I am very appreciative that they were a part of my journey to fluency. They made my stay in their home so comfortable and treated me as if I was born into their family. I can honestly say that I was blessed with the family selected for me as we were a perfect match. I was welcome to eat meals, watch television, listen to music, and dance with them. Mi mamá en España era muy divertida y ella cocinaba muy bien. Cada plato estaba muy delicioso! I really enjoyed everything she cooked. The meals were prepared with fresh ingredients and the biggest difference I noticed with the foods at my homestay and in different restaurants in España compared to the food in Los Estados Unidos was that the foods in España are not as processed. The foods are fresher and taste better to me.

      I took Español 3 in Salamanca, España for SPC’s Spanish Study Abroad Immersion Program. Immersion is real and necessary to help you learn and become more familiar with the language. This program was introduced to me by my Español 2 professor, and I was a little hesitant because I did not want to leave my wife and daughter behind. Also, because I have never been outside of Los Estados Unidos. My wife was my number one supporter as she knows how important it is to me that I become fluent for my career goals. With that, I took her advice and applied for the program, and I was accepted. The plane ride was not bad at all and before I knew it, I was in Madrid, España. The school I attended in España, Estudio Sampere, had arranged for a bus to pick us up in Madrid and drive us over to Salamanca where we lived. I have never felt safer in any city. The directors of Estudio Sampere made the transition to my host family so welcoming because mi mama de España was there to pick me up where the bus dropped me off and take me home. School was intense as you must complete a semester’s work in three weeks but the professors at Estudio Sampere made learning interesting and fun. My professors were Andrea and Sergio, and I will never forget them as they have impacted my life positively by assisting me with learning Español in España. It gets no better than that!

     Salamanca is a city where you can literally walk everywhere, and each day was more exciting than the last. I went on adventures throughout the city with my colleagues from SPC, as well as on my own. Salamanca is really The Golden City, and the people are so kind and helpful. The cathedrals, the university, the library, and museums were all breathtakingly beautiful. The weekend excursions were extremely exciting as I got to visit multiple cities in España. We visited Segovia, Avila, San Sebastián, and we even got to visit Biarritz, France. Visiting a real-life castle in Segovia that inspired Walt Disney was cool but walking along the shore of La Grande Plage beach in France was one of the best things I did on my study abroad trip. The people in France were kind as well.

     Overall, I had ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE by studying abroad in España and I am forever grateful that I was one of the students selected to go. If you are thinking about studying abroad with SPC, do not hesitate. It will change your life. Please do this for yourself, you will not regret it. Thanks again SPC! – Timora, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2024