All posts by Sara Bruya

SPC student visits goat farm, eats kosher during study in Israel

Israel, Study Abroad

From goat’s milk popsicles to kosher cakes, there’s a lot to savor while studying abroad in Israel.

– Cayla Metzger, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Our day’s journey started bright and early. We drove west from our hostel in Kare Deshe (right on the Sea of Galilee) towards Nazareth to visit the Ellis Family Goat Farm. As we arrived, the generous family owners took us on a tour of the gardens and stables, where we were greeted by their friendly herding dogs.

Ellis Family Goat Farm. Photo by Cayla Metzger.

While we were given a tour of the farm, the family gave us a brief explanation about the process of making goat cheese and the labors that are required. On the farm, they have their own garden where they produce organic fresh fruits, vegetables, and even herbs. I tried an interesting herb called Melissa straight from the plant.

We got to see many of the animals on the farm including the goats, chickens, geese, donkeys, and even turkeys. Each were so friendly, we got to pet and watch them herd into their stables. We also sampled homemade goat cheese, goat yogurt popsicles, and commonly-loved Israeli pita.

The Rosha HaNikra Caves

After the informative trip to the goat farm we proceeded on to the Rosha HaNikra caves. These caves are considered to be the most beautiful place in Israel. We toured the cave area and saw the crystal clear water, and even heard the bats at the top of the cave with occasional wings fluttering above. We watched a brief video explaining the background of the cave and what makes it unique: it’s a love story between the rocks and the sea.

On our way back down from the mountain, using a cable car, we saw the border of Lebanon, where we met the guard patrol. The view was beautiful and a whole lot to take in. We stopped for lunch in a gorgeous part of Israel called Akko, which had a very historic vibe to it. The buildings were made of stone with unique architectural designs.

Lunch was very typically Israeli with many people getting falafels and other local dishes. I got Labana–goat cheese in a pita with olive oil, cucumber and tomato inside.

Diving in the Mediterranean

After lunch we arrived at the hotel which was situated on a kibbutz right on the Mediterranean Sea in Eilat–the spot where we would be diving that afternoon. We couldn’t make it a very deep dive due to time of day, but we still saw many beautiful creatures.

We passed some coral along several rock formations from a sunken city, and saw some unique fish. Then we ran into an octopus, and he even inked a lot as we passed each other under the water. After the dive we got changed and went to dinner.

Diving in the Mediterranean. Photo by Cayla Metzger.

Dinner was above and beyond, with some exquisite cuisine options including, finally,some desserts. I tried their chocolate mousse and blackberry mousse cake-like desserts. These cakes (and dinner) did not include any dairy in order to keep the meal kosher, because people in Israel stick to a kosher diet. However, the options were still plentiful and tasted delicious.

As the day was winding down to an end, we saw the sunset on the beach, and considered going for a night time beach walk. The day, overall, was very exciting. We got a lot done and saw so many beautiful things; it was both exhilarating and one of the more relaxing days we had.

If anyone is interested in study abroad, this is an amazing trip where you learn a ton about wildlife while seeing beautiful sites, eating lots of different cultural foods, and always being on the move. Shalom (which means peace in Hebrew)!

– Cayla Metzger, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Cayla!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu


Explore literature and culture in New Zealand – May 2020!

Australia and New Zealand, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in New Zealand
Apply by January 17, 2020

Study Abroad with SPC in New Zealand! Students will have the opportunity to expand their worldview by participating in a two-week immersion program of international curricula designed with an emphasis on New Zealand Culture, History, Anthropology, and Literature.

Students will  learn first-hand from its leaders about the history and culture of the Maori with an overnight stay at a Maori Marae. They will also participate in an authentic “hangi” (cooking food in a buried pit oven).

Courses offered:

  • LIT 2120 – World Literature II
  • ANT 2410 – Cultural Anthropology

To view more details, the program itinerary, costs for students, and to apply, click here.

SPC student adopts local social customs while studying in Spain

Spain 2019, Spain 2022, Study Abroad
Surrounded by history and architecture, and immersed in culture and language, there is much to absorb during study abroad in Spain.

– Jessica DeLaRosa-Zimring, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019

My experience in Salamanca, Spain has been like no other. I am very impressed with the history and architecture of this beautiful city. The people are very nice and welcoming as well.

I am perfecting the Spanish language and really submerging myself in the culture of Salamanca. I have adopted some of their customs in just a short few days. Some of these customs are very different than those of the United States. For example, we eat a very small breakfast which consists of toast and coffee, a very large comida which is their lunch mid-day. Also, our dinner is served later in the evening between 9:00-10:00 pm.

In Salamanca. Photo Courtesy of Jessica DeLaRosa-Zimring.

People enjoy walking around the Plaza Mayor, which is in the center of town. People love to go out to the restaurants, coffee shops and boutique shops in this location. Yesterday was a holiday in Salamanca–Fiesta de San Juan. In honor of this holiday all businesses in town closed, and a big display of fireworks was shown in the evening near where a Roman Bridge lies, north of the Plaza Mayor. People celebrate all week long with Festivales de los Luzes and concerts in the parks.

This weekend we will travel to Cáceres, un cuidad Patrimonio de la Humanidad, which borders the country of Portugal. I have enjoyed my experience tremendously, I have met some very nice classmates and all the instructors are extremely knowledgeable in their fields. This has been an experience I will never forget. Thank you to the great SPC professors and staff for putting together such a great program. Viva España!

– Jessica DeLaRosa-Zimring, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019

Thank you for sharing Jessica!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Cover photo: Plaza Mayor, Salamanca (cropped). By Anual, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].

SPC student explores science and spirituality in Israel

Israel, Israel (Natural Sciences and Humanities), Israel 2023, Study Abroad

Experiencing the history and natural beauty of the “Holy Land” during study abroad in Israel.

– Chikara Parks, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Israel! Let me start off by saying, it was everything that I expected and more. For me, the experience went deeper than the Biology class. It was spiritual. I remember arriving at the airport and seeing a huge sign that said, “Welcome to Israel.” I couldn’t believe that it was really happening, I was really in Israel– “The Holy Land.”

Photo by Chikara Parks.

I had done all of my own biblical research on the country and all of its Holy spots. However, we (as a class) had also done our biological research, which made things so much more wonderful when seeing these trees and plants in person. As part of the class, we took water samples to test salt levels and it was actually pretty cool. We went places like The Dead Sea, The Red Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, we did a couple of Springs and many more. It was just great to get out of my comfort zone and have an open mind.

Jerusalem, for me, was everything. The best part for me, was going to visit so many legendary sites on the Sabbath Day. We were visiting the places where Jesus blessed and healed people…on this day–the Sabbath day! It was beyond beautiful. We visited the Garden Tomb, where they believe that Jesus had risen on the third day. This was such a beautiful place. There were flowers all over and so many places that made you aware of how things were back then. It was really unbelievable. Before we went to the Garden Tomb, we visited the 14 stations of Christ. These sites were a combination of Christ being nailed to the cross, Christ being removed from the cross and so many more very intimate moments.

Flowers everywhere… Photo by Chikara Parks.
This is beautiful place is where David allegedly wrote Psalms. Photo by Chikara Parks.

I am new to Christianity and don’t really know as much as I probably should. Upon arrival, I thought that everyone in Israel would be full of happiness because it is the “Holy Land.” I was wrong. I would smile at people all of the time and they would look at me like, “why are you smiling at me?” I just couldn’t understand why there were so many serious faces. I later learned that because of the separation (of Israel and Palestine) and different things that are happening all over Israel, it causes tension between different religions. I also didn’t understand seeing so much trash on the beaches there. Thank God for the good Samaritan we had in our class. He would grab a bag or whatever he could find, and he would pick up as much trash as he could.

This trip was beyond belief, the views were unbelievable and the whole time, I constantly stated the fact that “pictures will do none of this justice, you would have to see it for yourself.” Whether you are a biologist or just a person that loves the Lord, this trip is life changing and it has changed my entire life.

– Chikara Parks, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Chikara!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student builds confidence ‘living like a local’ in Portugal

Portugal, Portugal 2019, Study Abroad
Examining comparative law and learning from local and international dignitaries during study abroad in Portugal.

– Hayley Millsaps, SPC Student, Portugal Program, June 2019

Portugal was such an incredible experience and one I will remember for the rest of my life. I already loved to travel, but being able to live like a local in a foreign country just ingrained that in me more. This trip pushed me to my limits at times, but it also helped me build my confidence by allowing me to know that I can push those limits and I don’t have to be afraid.

Cabo da Roca, the Western-most point in continental Europe. Photo by Hayley Millsaps.

The country of Portugal is incredibly gorgeous. No matter where I looked or turned, there was beauty to be seen. The beaches are some of the prettiest I’ve seen and the lookout spots off the cliffs are what dreams are made of! My favorite place we visited was Berlengas Island, which is actually now the screen saver on my phone. The picture really helps me to remember: no matter what we are going through in life, even if it is a tight space and seems impossible, there is a way to get through it or navigate around it.

During the course, we were able to go to the U.S. Embassy and meet the Ambassador. My favorite person we met on the trip, however, was the Deputy General at the Portuguese Ministry of Justice. I personally loved him because he is incredibly inspiring. This man is blind and holds a very high position in the country. This is absolutely amazing to me because here in the U.S. it seems that a disability might stop someone from holding such a high position, even if one could do the job.

Berlengas Island. Photo by Hayley Millsaps.

Since this was a course for comparative law it was interesting to not only compare the law, but to compare how people work with the law. This man was able to quote a specific line from a specific article of the law. He was also one of the sweetest people we met and even took more time out of his week to go on another tour with us. This truly spoke to how kind and genuine the Portuguese people are.

Thank you to SPC for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Portugal and for the scholarships provided to ensure I could go. I want to especially thank Dr. Eldridge for creating a program that was interdisciplinary.

Without this program I probably never would have gone to Portugal, but now I want to go back and explore even more of the country. I left a piece of my heart in Portugal and I can’t wait to go find it again.

– Hayley Millsaps, SPC Student, Portugal Program, June 2019

Thank you for sharing Hayley!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student gains language skills and international friendships in France

France 2019, Study Abroad
“You never really know what something is like until you experience it for yourself” …during study abroad in France.

– Katherine Knippel, SPC Student, France Program, June 2019

This summer, I had one of the most culturally enlightening and fascinatingly edifying experiences of my entire life. To put it simply: I participated in an amazing study abroad program through St. Petersburg College, which provided me with an educational and eye-opening experience.

Traveling around the world and immersing yourself in a new environment with new individuals teaches what cannot be taught in a classroom: A fresh view of the world, and the people who inhabit it. It gives that sense of “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Photo by Katherine Knippel.

The first step towards new perspectives began as very personal to me, showing me that the apprehension of an event is nearly always worse than the actual event itself. I’ve had a fear of flying ever since I was old enough to develop situational awareness, but luckily, all of the plane rides I went through were quite comfortable and smooth, not to mention, on time!

After I landed in Nice, France (Yes, France!), I was greeted by a lovely young woman who was the daughter of my host mother. During these two weeks, I would be living with a local host family, thereby fully engaging in the culture of France. My educational purpose of studying in Nice was to grasp a better understanding of the French language, something that I have been passionate about for the past year.

SPC in France!
Photo courtesy of Katherine Knippel.

My host family was incredibly hospitable, and I found myself very enamored with the harmonious nature of their interactions, not to mention their gentle and lovable cats!

My schedule every weekday consisted of two to four language classes, all centered around vocabulary, grammar, and general conversation. The school hosted students from all over the world–Sweden, Hungary, South Korea, Columbia, Spain, and many more countries. This was one of the very best parts of the program. It was endlessly interesting to learn about the differences in another student’s way of life, but also about the similarities. It turns out, people from other countries enjoy Netflix and ice cream too!

On the weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit Monaco and Cannes with other students in the program. We visited the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (a lovely aquarium with sea turtles and a fascinating exhibit on ocean research vessels), stunning chapels that held wonderfully peaceful energies, the building where the Cannes Film Festival is held, Saint-Marguerite island, plus other locations, not to mention breath-taking views from almost every angle.

By the second week of classes, I was already becoming more confident in my French. I was constantly practicing how I would translate certain phrases, saying them aloud sometimes to my new international friends for confirmation. I loved walking around Nice. My favorite place to go was a large shopping center on the avenue Jean-Medecin. I was able to find some articles of clothing and souvenirs that I really liked, though there was a severe lack of French writing (I traveled all the way to France for English merchandise!).

Afternoon in the art museum.
Photo by Katherine Knippel.

I found bookstores, food stands, and, my personal favorite, art museums that were close enough for me to walk to. Possibly my favorite day of the program was when I started with French class in the morning, then visited a cafe to enjoy lunch, and spent the rest of the day going to art museums and admiring the artifacts and French architecture. This was one of the only days I spent out on my own, and there was something truly liberating and freeing about it all.

But, sadly, as do all great adventures, this one came to a close all too soon. At the end of the second week, I bid my new friends goodbye, promising to remain companions online, packed my bags, thanked my wonderful host family for such a welcoming visit, and departed to the airport.

On the long flight back, I reflected on all of the memories I acquired and the lessons I had learned, and I can safely say that the sensation is hard to put into words. France is a place that many people associate with love, class, and good food. It is also a place whose population is, for some ungodly reason, labeled as uptight, snobby, and generally rude. This could not be farther from the truth.

Socca served hot in Nice, France.
By Photo Myrabella. Wikimedia Commons, [CC BY-SA 3.0].

If there’s one thing that this trip has taught me, it’s that you never really know what something is like until you experience it for yourself. It’s worth the risk of rejection, the awareness of consequence, and the fear of the unknown. So my advice to you is this: take advantage of life’s opportunities. And please, if you ever find yourself in Nice, try the socca. Just make sure you don’t substitute it for a meal.

– Katherine Knippel, SPC Student, France Program, June 2019

Thank you for sharing Katherine!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student visits ancient Jerusalem and a memorial to the Holocaust in Israel

Israel, Study Abroad
Trekking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in the City of David and encountering The World Holocaust Remembrance Center during study abroad in Israel.

– Gloria Tesch, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

As the week slowly ends, we all embrace the last day. All of us have now become an inseparable family of friends who remember great times with days and nights of laughter. We all knew it was the last day of our trip… but we tried to leave it as an unspoken thought.

Our group at the hostel. Photo by Gloria Tesch.

Two weeks in the beautiful country of Israel had flown by so quickly. Today is Sunday and we had our usual breakfast at the hostel, and soon loaded onto the bus. Our bus driver, Sammy, along with our excellent tour guide, Etsik, greeted us with friendly smiles.

The Siloam Tunnel

We began heading down to the streets of Jerusalem, just outside of the old city. This is where we began our first excursion of the day. We walked through the Siloam tunnel (also known as Hezekiah’s tunnel) in the City of David! This was indeed an extraordinary and unique experience. All of us formed a single file line and began strutting through ice cold water.

Knee deep, we pulled out our flashlights and explored the dark tunnels. We had to crouch down occasionally and get through the tight spaces, but the entire exploration was fantastic and well worth our time. When we reached the end of the tunnel, we saw light and emerged into the bright sunshine of Israel.

Olive trees in a beautiful Israeli garden. Photo by Gloria Tesch.

Remembering the Holocaust

Shortly after regathering and talking about our experience in the tunnel, we hopped back on the bus and headed toward Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Before our tour we were greeted by David, who is the Vice President of our Sar-el tours. He spoke to us about some history of the foundations of this museum and other important influences.

The Eternal Flame at Yad Vashem.
Photo by Mrbrefast, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0].

Then we began our tour of the holocaust museum. It was saddening to see such a horrific event that happened in Europe. We all braced ourselves for the images and artifacts of such an event. We took some time to ourselves to walk through the beautiful museum.

Visiting a local market

After we had taken our time admiring the old photos and videos of the past (some with tears in our eyes), we left to go to a local market. At the market, we tasted some local food and gathered up our last souvenirs. We spent about an hour and a half walking around the market place. Our group met up again at 6:00 pm to head back to our hostel. Holding bags of souvenirs, we showed each other what we had purchased.

Photo by Gloria Tesch.

The last meal we all had together as a group was filled with laughter and good vibes. Shortly after, we sat together and talked about our experiences as a group and our favorite parts of the trip. It was difficult to describe which day was our most favorite, since every experience was unique and different!

Although this trip has officially ended, it will never end in our memories. We had all gained knowledge, new experiences, lifelong friends and unforgettable memories.

– Gloria Tesch, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Gloria!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Cover image: Hall of Names at Yad Vashem. Photo by Jotpe, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].

SPC student challenges her comfort zone with study abroad in Spain

Spain 2019, Spain 2022, Study Abroad, Travel
A helpful host family eases the transition to Spanish language learning and new cultural awareness during study abroad in Spain.

– Jackelyn Ayala-Otero, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019

Studying abroad was an amazing opportunity to say the least. Spending time in a country that is culturally different allows for experiences I never imagined. Spain has always been a country I think is beautiful in its landscape and culture. When I saw the opportunity to study there, I decided to take the bull by the horns and try something that was definitely out of my comfort zone.

At first, I had no idea where Salamanca was and had never heard of it. However, after looking up many details about it I was eager to get the trip started. After only being there for a couple of days, I truly fell in love with the city and, of course, my Spanish host mom! Day by day she made everything possible and I was so glad to stay for three weeks with her.

In Plaza Mayor. Photo courtesy of
Jackelyn Ayala-Otero.

Plaza Mayor is definitely a sight to see and being able to walk through it every day was like a dream. I had to pinch myself to realize where I was. There are many activities to do in Salamanca, such as visiting the cathedrals and even attending a salsa class! A highlight was watching fireworks with the group and really enjoying time with each other.

I didn’t think I could become close with a group like this before, however, everyone is so friendly and we all here for one reason: to learn and better our Spanish language skills. These life changing experiences are something I’ll cherish forever and I know for sure the friendships will last as well.

– Jackelyn Ayala-Otero, SPC Student, Spain Program, June 2019

Thank you for sharing Jackelyn!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Cover photo: Catedral Salamanca. Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.

SPC student greets the dawn at the Ramon Crater in Israel

Israel, Study Abroad

Water preservation lessons and scorpion hunting in the Negev Desert during study abroad in Israel.

– Jennah Cohen, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

On the second day of our study abroad trip to Israel, several students and I woke up at 5:30 am to watch the sunrise on top of the Ramon Crater. On our way to the top we saw dozens of Ibexes around the rocky land.

View from top of the Ramon Crater. Photo by Jennah Cohen.

We took in all the beauty of the desert land that stood in front of us that morning. We all took a lot of pictures, but they do not do the actual scenery any justice. On our way back, one of the guys picked some flowers which attracted the ibexes toward us. We put the flowers on the ground and watched an Ibex come up close to us.

Repaired terrace. Photo by Jennah Cohen.

At 8:30 am, the class met up to begin our exploration of the Negev Desert. We learned about the preservation and distribution of water. For this process they made a terrace to distribute and allow water to spread out more for better percolation and moistening of the soil. Terraces also slow the flow of the water like dams. We helped our guide to restore a terrace that had collapsed.

Picture showing the flooding and how the terrace works.

After the exploration and lunch, we toured the visitor’s center at the Mizpe Ramon Crater. We learned about the creation of the crater and about the first Israeli astronaut in space who was aboard the Columbia Space Shuttle.

Scorpion at night. Photo by Alexanderia Brendenburg.

At night when it got dark, we began our hunt for scorpions. To find them we used black light flashlights. The scorpions give off a fluorescent blue color under the black light. We found tons of scorpions– four different species! The moon, which was nearly full, was bright but perfect for our hunt and absolutely beautiful to view. This ended the amazing day and being only our second day so far we were pining for more adventure in the days to come.

– Jennah Cohen, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Jennah!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student explores his goal of one day teaching English in Japan

Japan 2024, Japan 2025, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Japan

Meeting cool people, eating authentic ramen, and exploring Tokyo neighborhoods fuel future dreams during study abroad in Japan.

– Brandon Fletcher, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

I’m here to speak a little regarding my experience with the Japan study abroad program, along with how impactful it has been for me. First, I must thank SPC for giving me the chance to participate and for giving me the scholarship to help pay for my trip. This is something I’m forever grateful for because it helped me achieve one of my dreams.

With Mt. Fuji. Photo by Brandon Fletcher.


The study abroad trip to Japan was simply amazing. I’ve always been into Japan and its culture since I was a young kid (especially growing up with anime and manga), and currently my goal is to become an English teacher in Japan. Being able to go on this trip not only allowed the childhood dream of visiting Japan to come true, but it also gave me a real taste of what it’s exactly like being over there.

While abroad, I was able to learn many fascinating things about Japan that I didn’t know, along with visiting many famous locations including the legendary Mt. Fuji. There are so many amazing things I got to do in Japan such as taking the trains to travel, eating authentic ramen, roaming Shinjuku and Ikebukuro at night, and visiting the One Piece 20th anniversary event at Tokyo Tower.


One Piece 20th anniversary at Tokyo Tower. Photo by Brandon Fletcher.

Really, this trip was perfect. I loved everything. The study abroad trip was also a good balance of a educational material mixed with the freedom to explore and let curiosity take control in the big city. Some of the best educational experiences were visiting shrines, seeing Mt. Fuji, attending a sushi making class, and participating in a tea ceremony.

This was my first ever study abroad program and I highly recommend that students consider participating in future SPC study abroad trips. It’s absolutely worth it. I was able to meet some cool people during our trip, experience many unforgettable moments, and to step out of my little bubble here in Florida and really experience a piece of the world. I don’t feel my words can truly do justice to the experience of study abroad. It’s really something that just needs to be experienced.

As they would say in Japanese, ありがとう！（Arigatou! / Thank you!）
This trip has played a huge role in pushing me closer to my goal of being an English teacher in Japan!

– Brandon Fletcher, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Brandon!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu