Making close friends with college students from around the world during study abroad in France.
– Cory Jantaworn, SPC Student, France Program, June/July 2019
Bonjour, le voyage commence! Traveling is the best form of education in life. It expands your knowledge base and may challenge your nation’s conventional way of thinking. It is a wonderful experience that is humbling, edifying, and adventurous! I would like to share my journey into the south of France.
I arrived with fellow students (some from SPC; some from other international colleges) in Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of summer. We were picked up by EF Language schools and driven through the city to our host families. On the way our eyes gazed upon beautiful hills and mountains in the distance and at some points we could see the clear, spotless, light blue Mediterranean sea of Nice.
Photo courtesy of Cory Jantaworn.
We arrived to meet our host families. Mine was an Armenian/Lebanese police man named Alexira, who lives with his two kids. He showed me the way through the city to school and how to ride the tram. The city of Nice is bustling with life and new smells of delicious food.
At school I met many different students who became my new close friends on this journey in France. Students came from Switzerland, Hong Kong, Korea, Germany, Japan, England, Sweden, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and many other countries to study French. Not only did I learn about the French way of life, but I also learned a lot from other international students who shared many things in depth about their own countries’ traditions, problems, and cultures. It was an enlightening and enriching experience to be able to connect with many other cultures that are so different from my own while being bonded together by our common desire to learn French!
Nice, France. Photo courtesy of Cory Jantaworn.
It was a very satisfying time and a charming city. In the morning we would study and then in the afternoon we would practice what we learned while exploring the city! The way of life in France seems to me very relaxed and enjoyable, and if I were somebody deciding whether to travel, I would strongly recommend that they study abroad in another country as soon as possible, especially with SPC.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and there is no better time than now to go!
– Cory Jantaworn, SPC Student, France Program, June/July 2019
Thank you for sharing Cory!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Exploring the diversity of marine wildlife and a shipwreck during study abroad in Israel.
– Jordi Zapata, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Waking up in Eilat
After an extremely long trek through the desert, our group woke up in the city of Eilat bordering the edge of the Red Sea. The city was unlike any other place I’ve seen, but I felt that I’ve seen it a million times before. Eilat is basically the middle eastern replica of Las Vegas, Nevada—it even shares many of the same buildings found in America.
Our youth hostel in Eilat had the nicest rooms of the entire trip (so far) with incredible views from the second and third floor balconies. Also, the cafeteria at this location seemed to have an endless variety of food options. Everyone was naturally excited to see long rows of platters when we arrived for dinner!
View of the Red Sea. Photo by Jordi Zapata.
Saturday morning, we all sat together for breakfast overlooking the amazing cityscape with the coastline in the distance. By 8 o’clock that morning, we all filed into the tour bus, anxious and eager to explore the Red Sea’s vibrant coral reefs. A local dive shop provided us with scuba gear and basic snorkel equipment so every student could experience the coral reef ecosystems up-close.
Diving in the Red Sea
With only eight total dives under my belt, I couldn’t help but feel like a beginner. Not to mention, this was going to be my first time diving in salt water. A few of the other students were diving in salt water for their first time too, making us nervous and restless at the same time. Larissa and I were dive partners while Liel, Cayla, Shaina, and Jenna were also members of our group.
Together we encountered massive corals teeming with rich diversity like black urchins, sea cucumber, parrot fish, and eels. At a sunken shipwreck we swam next to huge lion fish and colorful grouper while observing the marine life established near the wreck.
Testing the water. Photo by Jordi Zapata.
It’s safe to say that my first salt water dive experience was an absolute success! Afterwards, we gathered on the beach to collect water samples for the salinity research we’ve been conducting throughout the course of the trip.
Ending the day together
Since Eilat is the southernmost point in Israel, we decided to visit the Egyptian border on the way back to the hostel. Afterward, I joined Jacob, Liel, and Cayla for appetizers at a little restaurant and had good conversation before dinner.
We managed to convince the other students to go out for our last night in the city. I am really glad we ended the day together, exchanging stories, and running around downtown after having such an eventful day.
– Jordi Zapata, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Thank you for sharing Jordi!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Communicating with French students from around the world and exploring Mediterranean culture during study abroad in France.
– Jesselyn Dillon, SPC Student, France Program, June/July 2019
My two weeks in Nice with SPC was full of new experiences. We spent the time learning French in a school whose teachers spoke very limited English. While this was challenging, it gave us an opportunity to learn French as it is spoken and not only by learning from a textbook.
Photo by Jesselyn Dillon.
There were several times when the class and the teacher engaged in interesting exchanges. We discussed how and why things are translated or not translated, how some words and phases that we use in English don’t exist in French, and how some words can have multiple meanings in different contexts in French.
My favorite part of the trip was experiencing so many different languages with students from Japan, Korea, Sweden, Germany and more. With very little English being spoken among us, we had to resort to communicating with gestures, pictures, and Google translate.
My roommate at the homestay was a Japanese student who spoke almost no English and was just starting French. My homestay host was a French woman who spoke no Japanese and very little English. Dinners at her home resulted in a three-way Google translate conversation between English, French and Japanese!
Photo by Jesselyn Dillon.
After classes each day we had the later part of the afternoon and evening to ourselves to explore Nice. The architecture and history were amazing! A few of my favorites were Old Town, Notre Dame de Nice and the Cimez monastery and gardens.
Most days I spent hours after class wandering with no real objective, just meandering to see what I could see. I ended up at the Old Town market to shop for gifts and crepes for dinner, or the rocky beach and clear blue Mediterranean water, or local shops on the side streets away from the tourist center trying local foods at every stop.
Nice was a Roman territory before belonging to the French so there is a large Italian influence and every corner has an Italian restaurant and gelato shop. We also took weekend trips as a group to Monaco, Cannes and Île Sainte-Marguerite. Being a James Bond fan, I was very excited to see the Casino Royal in Monaco and I loved the prison on Île Sainte-Marguerite where the man in the iron mask was held.
– Jesselyn Dillon, SPC Student, France Program, June/July 2019
Thank you for sharing Jesselyn!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Mingling with marsupials, swimming in waterfalls and the Great Barrier Reef, and turning friends into family during study abroad in Australia
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
PART II
(Read Part I) This trip to the “land down under” was more than just a volunteer experience with like-minded veterinary nurses; it was an exploration of new cultures, new ecosystems, different animals, and of course food!
We visited all kinds of shops while exploring the city of Cairns, everything from your typical “touristy” shops with some really good souvenirs to places that supplied artwork by the Aboriginal peoples. We visited cafes along the way, tasting and sampling everything from meat pies to chocolate cookies.
The food was bountiful with a plethora of options to choose from. Most nights our group would stay together and enjoy each other’s company over Italian pasta, pub foods, or a mixture of burger and pizza selections. There were a few other nights where the local grocery store tempted us with fresh-made sushi rolls that tasted even better back at the hostel poolside.
Meeting Rainforest Wildlife
One of our outings involved taking a bus up to the Kuranda Rainforest, where I met my first Koala named “Paul” and I had the opportunity to hold him! He is a 2-year-old rockstar-resident of the wildlife park. We had the chance to mingle with red-legged pademelons, swamp wallabys, and an eastern gray kangaroo! We visited an aviary, home to 30+ species of tropical native birds and doves, as well as some friendly non-natives. The most impressive dinosaur of them all was the Southern Cassowary!
Our day trips led by a local Aussie took us to four different waterfalls, each beautiful and unique in its own impressive way. At the Milla Milla waterfall I shared the famous Herbal Essence hair-flip with a few friends before leaving the frigid yet refreshing water. The adventures continued as I met a wild bush turkey face to face and plucked a hitchhiker from my little toe (a leech to be exact).
We stopped to refuel on a few locally grown bananas at a roadside stand before ending our trip in the forest listening to the sound of humming insects and singing frogs.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef was perhaps the most memorable experience of my life. This was something I had dreamed about for a long time. Everything about that day was bliss. I was surrounded by friends headed to one of the most unique natural structures on our planet. When we arrived, it was even more breathtaking than I imagined.
The water was so calm it looked like a sheet of glass. Even the crew members made a point to comment on the serenity surrounding us, stating that they hadn’t seen a day on the water like this in many months. It was prime-time for diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Photo by Dmitry Brant, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].
Peering off the boat’s side, I could see the reef in the blue waters below and the hundreds of fish that called it home. I spent hours, literally hours, swimming lazily around the Moore Reef in my stinger suit, snorkel, and fins, taking in the sites of various corals, colorful anemones, fish, eels, urchins, starfish, sharks, sea turtles, and jelly fish.
There is nothing like the GBR to compare it to. Among all the life was also death. Stressed corals and those that had already been bleached, could be seen dying from warming water temperatures. It was crushing, yet inspiring to continue to be the change you want to be in this world. Every action we take has a consequence, good or bad. Becoming more aware of how your daily life is impacting the environment is crucial and allows you to take the necessary steps towards a cleaner tomorrow.
The Benefits of Study Abroad
This study abroad program granted me the opportunity to focus on inner growth and finding balance in my life. It helped me grow both professionally and personally. The volunteer work was meaningful and encouraging and the adventures we had as a group changed us from strangers to family.
The Australian culture is inviting and cheerful. This trip helped me to learn even more about the pressing issues facing our wildlife and their habitats but also about the actions being taking to make a change. The memories I have made in Australia are unmatched and I can only hope that someday I can re-visit this beautiful country.
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
Thank you for sharing Brittany!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Cover photo: Clownfish, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia by leonard low – https://www.flickr.com/photos/leonardlow/340824760/, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0].
Flying foxes, coral covered beaches, sea turtle rehab, and an island hike not for the fainthearted during study abroad in Australia
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
PART I
After receiving the news that I was selected to participate in the study abroad program in Australia, I nearly knocked my glass of water right off my kitchen table in excitement. After completing three intense years with the veterinary nursing program at St. Petersburg College, I had finally completed all my coursework and I was ready to graduate. This trip would be the ultimate payoff for all my studies.
I was eager to meet some of my classmates who, until now, had simply been names on a computer screen, since I was a distance learning student. I loved the idea of spending time with colleagues in my filed of study and gaining life-long friendships along the way!
The scholarship opportunity was crucial to my financial situation and without this, the monetary burden would have been overwhelming and potentially resulted in my withdrawal from the trip. I cannot press enough how grateful I am for the Study Abroad Program scholarship opportunities.
The City of Cairns
The city of Cairns is beautiful, and the people are kind and welcoming! I fell in love with the city after only several hours. The biggest adjustment was looking for oncoming traffic in the opposite direction than I am used to! My new study abroad “family” was incredible. Our personalities meshed immediately, and I knew I was going to be with wonderful company.
Black Flying Fox feeding on a palm tree in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Photo by Andrew Mercer, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].
One of my fondest memories in Australia was seeing the flying foxes roosting up in the local trees on the first night. There were hundreds of bats, all chatting up a storm, some flying in for the night, and some departing. I had never seen anything like it. These bats were enormous with a wingspan of almost 3.5 feet. You could see them flying overhead from the hostel and hear them from your window. It became quite a treat to watch them every night. They were our first glimpse of native Australian wildlife.
Within walking distance of our hostel was a local coffee barista that prepared fresh coffee for us every morning as the sun creeped up. By the end of the first week, the owner recognized all our faces and knew our drink orders without missing a beat! She was a wonderful local and her coffee stand was a gem.
Just down the way was the market, which offered an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, some grown in small local gardens, while others were imported. It was an interesting and festive blend of cultures and our group made a point to visit the market on several occasions. I tasted several exotic fruits I’ve never had while swapping stories with the locals.
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a small, but immensely beautiful island nestled in the Pacific Ocean about 23 kilometers by boat just off the coast of Cairns. This was where we would be traveling to complete our volunteer work at the sea turtle rehab center.
Fitzroy Island. Photo by ogwen, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0].
I had no idea what to expect when our group left for our first morning of work. The ferry ride was such a treat and gave us a perfect view of the beaches along Cairns every morning and evening. The beaches of Fitzroy were like nothing I have seen before, laden with the dried, sun-bleached pieces of fracture coral reef and sea shells. It was almost unbearable to walk on without shoes, but a breathtaking sight nonetheless.
The water was crystal clear at the docks, allowing you to see nearly to the bottom. The shores were met by a rocky incline that lead to several summits. The island was covered by rainforest alive with sulfur cockatoos and water dragons.
Sea Turtle Rehab Center
The sea turtle rehab center can be found a little way down from the island’s resort. Our duties involved assessing the turtles’ initial behaviors and actions, cleaning the filter bags, scrubbing the tanks, preparing the diets and feeding individuals, and recording our morning observations.
We were schooled on the general natural history of sea turtles with focus on some of the local individuals undergoing rehab. It was eye-opening to hear that all the turtles in their care had, in some way, shape, or form, come in contact with man-made objects or debris.
Turtle at the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Australia. Photo by The Lightworks, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0].
In addition to looking after the rehabbing turtles, our group conducted reef surveys which involved snorkeling around the island and observing the natural wildlife on the reefs. We were all lucky enough to spot several wild turtles, including both Green and Hawksbill species! We all wore “stinger suits” since it was jelly fish season and box jellies called these shores home, but as scary as that sounds, once in the water, the scenery of brightly colored fish, rays, and corals swept away any worries.
Hiking on Fitzroy Island
We had free time in the afternoons and several of my mates and I made plans to hike the island’s tallest summit. Fitzroy Island was once home to the Gunggandji people, who lived by way of fishing and feeding on the native tropical fruits on the island.
The summit hike of Fitzroy Island was not for the faint-hearted and very physical. It took all the energy I had to make it to the top of that mountain. Despite the work, the route was nothing short of an adventure. The beaten path wound up through the “bush” forest as the locals called it. The steps themselves were made from stone, either laid there by men or carved out of the mountain by mother nature.
Even at the higher altitude, coral could be found on the ground. Fossilized urchins and sea creatures could be seen in the stone. The landscape changed from forest to desert the higher we climbed, even the wildlife changed. The swifts took over the skies as they ducked and dived, catching flying insects on the move. The cockatoo’s cries were nothing but muffled background noise once at the summit.
At the peak, we could see the entirety of the island, but perhaps the greatest reward was seeing the Great Barrier Reef in the distance. It was breathtaking, stunning, and quiet. It was a moment in time I will lock down in my memories forever. (Read Part II)
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
Thank you for sharing Brittany!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Visiting a sugar shack, feasting on poutine, and learning about native cultures during study abroad in Canada
– Isabel Arnez, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
The Canada trip was a wonderful experience full of adventure and excitement! As a Floridian I do not really get to see snow, but in Canada it was everywhere.
Photo by Isabel Arnez.
Throughout our trip, we not only got to visit beautiful landscapes but also got to learn about some of the history behind Quebec and Montreal. One of my favorite days was when we got to walk with the snowshoes.
I also enjoyed learning about the Indian reserve, along with the different customs that the indigenous peoples of Canada had. Some of the highlights of that day were seeing the inside of the homes, hearing their stories, and learning about dream catchers.
The food in Canada is also wonderful! I was constantly eating poutine (which is fries topped with cheese and gravy), and even had it at the airport on the last day of the trip. Among all of the places we went to eat, however, the Sugar Shack was the best! We not only learned about how Canadians make their famous maple syrup, but got to taste it in all of the meals we ate. While there, we received a crash course on how to play the spoons and danced to the live music.
Photo courtesy of Isabel Arnez.
Out of the two places we went, Quebec City was my personal favorite. Seeing the buildings and ramparts of the city was breathtaking. While there, we also got to go tobogganing and look for souvenirs to bring back home. One of the beautiful things about traveling in a group is that you get to experience these things with your friends, and make new ones along the way.
While on this trip, I not only became closer to my peers, but also befriended some of the people in Canada. It is an experience I will never forget, and I highly recommend that students partake in a study abroad program.
– Isabel Arnez, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
Thank you for sharing Isabel!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Visiting a Huron village, learning French, and examining cultural differences during study abroad in Canada.
– Ariana Sparling, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
The Canada study abroad trip was one that I felt opened my eyes to how different cultures can be, even those that seem to be the most similar. Canada is a country that I always felt would’ve been very similar to the United States, but despite the overwhelming number of similarities, I did notice many differences during this program.
This trip was also one of the first times I’ve ever been on an aircraft and the first time I’ve left the country or seen snow, so it was all a very new experience for me.
While in Canada, we visited Montreal and Quebec City. Montreal, I felt, was very similar to what I would imagine New York to feel like, though I’ve never been. Quebec, however, felt very different from America. From the architecture to the culture, I felt like I had traveled farther than just across a land border, and I felt that our time spent there was very educational. I not only learned more French, but I also learned a lot about Canadian politics and history.
This photo was taken on our last day in Montreal while we were shopping in the District de Saint-Edouard at the indoor market. It was also one of our first snow days. Photo courtesy of Ariana Sparling.
We also participated in activities that were typical of groups from the area. One of the most memorable activities we participated in was when we visited a Huron village. While we were there, we learned about their culture, their history, and the struggles their people went through. We also got to eat a typical Huron meal, learned about their mythology, and even went snowshoeing, which was so much fun!
Our trip to Canada taught me so much about the world and foreign countries that I had never known or thought about previously. It was not only a chance to learn and make new friends, but also a time to make once in a lifetime memories that I can cherish forever. Though having to leave was very sad, I feel that since the trip, I have become a more well-rounded and global citizen, due to my experiences and the lessons I learned in Canada. I would surely do it all over again.
– Ariana Sparling, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
Thank you for sharing Ariana!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
Cover: This photo was taken after we went snowshoeing in Quebec at the Huron village, which was one of my favorite activities during the program. Photo courtesy of Ariana Sparling.
Celebrating festivities with the locals, daily dining with a host family, and an excursion to San Sebastian during study abroad in Spain.
– Joelle Brown, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019
I’ve always had an interest in learning different languages and about other cultures, seeing new and exciting places and trying new experiences. I have never attended a study abroad program, and I didn’t think I would ever be able to live abroad for an extended period of time, but the SPC study abroad program enabled me to get the immersion during the summer and I’m really enjoying the experience.
Everyone met at the Madrid Airport and traveled together to Salamanca, where we met our host families. We can stay in an individual room or have a roommate. We eat and sleep in our host family’s home, but we’re busy with classes and excursions for the majority of the day. The summer session offers the opportunity to celebrate festivities with the locals, enjoy the weather, and the program includes touring the area as well. I opted to take on an additional excursion to San Sebastian, a popular tourist destination, especially if you’re into fine dining.
Calle Balmes, Salamanca. Photo by xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0].
Something you will not get from a book is the opportunity to experience the culture first hand as you learn the language. Yesterday, we visited two cathedrals, which were actually adjoining. To keep up with the needs of a growing population, they built the new one next to the old and were supposed to eventually replace it, but they didn’t. It allowed us to see the architectural differences in the Romantic Period and the Gothic Period in one structure.
The paintings and statues inside the cathedrals are amazing, but as beautiful as they are, the cathedral itself is breathtaking, interesting, and our modern buildings really seem to pale in comparison to the detail and grandiosity of these historical sites.
After dining with our host families, the class met for a night of fireworks. This week, Salamanca has four days of festivities. Shops were closed today, so that everyone could enjoy the celebrations. After class today, while walking home, we stopped by a pottery show. Many vendors displayed their wares, ranging from kitchenware, to garden pots, wall decorations, and jewelry. The prices were very reasonable, much less than they go for back home.
Shopping is a great experience. Items can be expensive, so window shop at first and look up appropriate phrases so you can find out how much something costs, or where you might be able to find something you need. Being a small town, Salamanca has many shops close to where we are staying. I’ve seen items four to five times as much as they are in another store that was only a few blocks away.
Perrunillas in Salamanca. Photo by By Tamorlan, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 3.0].
I can’t close without a note about the food. Every day, I’ve been taking pictures of menus and food display cases, especially if the menus have pictures or the displayed goods have the names and prices. Then I can go home, translate them and decide what I’d like to order another day. Our instructors also provide good recommendations. We even have tutoring at a café. Who says tutoring has to be boring?
Our host families provide our meals. This is where we can see how the various dishes are made and get the flavor of Spain. Meals are served later than we are accustomed to back home, and include more courses. If you have any dietary concerns, host families will try to accommodate with authentic foods as best as possible.
The experience has been wonderful, and I am already looking forward to my next trip abroad!
– Joelle Brown, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019
Thank you for sharing Joelle!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
The Sea of Galilee, the headwaters of the Jordan, the largest karst spring in the Middle East sampled during study abroad in Israel.
– Dawn Lewis, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Today marked our first full day by the Sea of Galilee. After looking at the bare sand and rock of the desert for the first week, it was refreshing to see all the green of the north! Our hostel is wonderful, with beautifully landscaped grounds and a little outdoor gym facing the Sea. I was worried about staying in shape on this trip, but these little things are everywhere!
Taking water samples. Photo by Dawn Lewis.
We began by taking water samples of the Sea of Galilee and measuring the salinity, as we have done at every body of water we have visited. Then, after a quick breakfast, we boarded the bus for an hour drive north to Tel Dan. Along the way, our guide, Eli, pointed out areas of historical interest that are referenced in the Bible. I’m not particularly religious, but I found it fascinating.
Headwaters
Our first stop was Tel Dan Nature Reserve, where the headwaters of the Jordan river are found. Though it only covers a small area, .5 square km, this area is of immense ecological importance. It contains the largest karst spring in the Middle East, is the last place in Israel that the marsh fern can be found, and is the home of a genetically unique strain of fire salamander.
Photo by Dawn Lewis.
As we walked along the cool, shaded path beside the spring, we learned about how they have successfully dealt with and managed various invasive species, like the eucalyptus tree, and how the ecosystem has rebounded. Considering the problems we have in Florida with invasive species, it was interesting to hear a success story regarding them. We were shown some of the native flora and fauna, and learned how experiments and water testing led to a change in management that benefited the environment. Science in action!
Nature Preserve
The second stop was Cessaria Phillipi in the Hermon Nature Reserve, named after Julius Caesar by Herod Phillipus. The older portion of the site consists of a cave, known as the “Gates of Hell”, where sacrifices were made to the god Pan. Niches were carved into the cliff, reminiscent of Petra in Jordan, where idols were placed. Adjacent are the ruins of courtyards and temples built later by Muslims.
“The gates of Hell.” Photo by Dawn Lewis.
Lunch was a unique experience in a Druze village in the Golan Heights, where I had a dish called labana. Made on a large, flat pita bread, it consists of soft goat cheese, hyssop, and olive oil folded inside and heated on a flat grill. This village is the only place that serves this, and it’s delicious!
– Dawn Lewis, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Thank you for sharing Dawn!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.We are here to help you!
A self-described “homebody” finds a beautiful home away from home during study abroad in Salamanca, Spain.
– Caitlin Katz, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019
I will be the first to admit that I am a homebody. The idea of traveling to a foreign country, while enticing, scares me more than anything. Yet here I am, writing this blog from the kitchen table of a charming little home located on the streets of Salamanca, Spain.
I have been taking classes with Senora Levin (a Spanish professor at SPC Tarpon Springs, and the leader of this trip) for four semesters and every semester she talks about how beautiful Salamanca is, including the cobblestone streets, the ancient buildings, and the glorious Plaza Mayor.
Caitlin Katz in Salamanca, Spain (2019).
Every semester I became more allured by the idea of walking through Salamanca, speaking Spanish, and seeing new sights. Finally, my last semester at SPC, I decided that I would be missing an opportunity of a lifetime if I did not travel to Salamanca in the summer.
When my plane landed in Madrid, the excitement began. Everyone was speaking in Spanish and everything looked so different. I fell in love with this country immediately, and I hadn’t even left the airport. I dozed off during our two-hour bus ride from Madrid to Salamanca, but when it was time to get off of the bus, I knew I had made the right decision.
West facade of the Convent of San Esteban, Salamanca, Spain. Photo by JoJan, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 4.0].
The streets of Salamanca are unlike anything I have ever seen before. In contrast to the United States, every building here is beautiful, and there is always something to see. Sra. Levin told me before we came to Salamanca to always look up. This was the best advice she could have given me. The Cathedrals and Universities here are like palaces in the sky and are so detailed that we could spend a whole day just observing their architecture.
Plaza Mayor is the central meeting place for everyone, and my favorite thing to do there is to people watch. I enjoy seeing so many different cultures mixing together, it is so different from the U.S.
Open inner courtyard of the University of Salamanca, Spain. Photo by JoJan, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 4.0].
My host mom is incredible; she predicts our needs before we can even ask for anything. She makes AMAZING food, helps us navigate the city, and tells us what sights we must see. Although very different from home, the living spaces are comfortable, and my roommates are generous and understanding.
I feel so incredibly grateful to be on this journey, and I know once it is over, I will be much better at Spanish, more easy-going, and maybe a little more willing to fly far away from home.
– Caitlin Katz, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019
Thank you for sharing Caitlin!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
