“SPC Study abroad in Spain was my first time traveling abroad and my first timed traveling alone or with a random group of people. If I had let my fears and apprehensions make the decision for me to go or not, then I would have missed out on one of greatest experiences of my life.

When the meetings began I was nervous about pretty much everything. I would look around and make observations that only fed my fears. Nobody appeared to be in my direct age range, a lot of people were very young, and though the crowd was semi diverse it was kind of obvious that nobody was my same demographic or living my type of lifestyle.  I am quite introverted so I did not speak to anyone during the meetings, not even the person I knew from a previous class. When it came time, I paid for a single room to ensure some level of isolation and I paid for the special diet. Over the next few weeks, Professor Albrecht slowly worked me down, encouraging me to engage with other students, get the full experience by having a roommate and to skip the special diet so I could at least try new foods. So I listened to her and skipped out on the extra options and opted in for the full experience.

Though I ended up having my own room (thank goodness), I did what she said and it was great. I never imagined how much positivity, growth, friendship and education that would come from this experience. By the time I arrived I had only spoken with one classmate, whom I sat next to on one of the flights, so my nerves were at an all-time high. Who will I room with, what the house mom will be like, and what I am going to eat…were questions plaguing my every thought.

Once I stepped off the bus, met the family and my roommates I thought I was the odd man out for sure. I could not have been more wrong. I could not have ended up with better housemates or a better house mom. The house mom went out of her way to make me feel at home. She cooked special meals for me and basically treated us like her sons (I was definitely her favorite son). She was kind and engaging and would speak extremely fast, but once we knew how to figure out what she was implying, she slowed it down and shared stories and memories and made us part of her family. We ate dinners with her daughter and watched soccer games with her grandson. Everyone was kind and patient.My roommates… they were more like brothers. We created strong bonds over the 28 minute walk (each way) to school. We got to know each other and exchange ideals and philosophies, as well as help each other strengthen our Spanish. No relationship was stronger than the other so no one was ever singled out, isolated or left out. There was 1 key for the 3 of us, so it kept us together and moving as a unit. In three weeks, not one argument between us. They were amazing.

The rest of the classmates were extremely nice and personable. I have never experienced that level of unity, even with people I have known for years. Everyone was willing to help with anything. I did not like the food very much, so people brought their apples and bananas to class and offered them to me and tried to find restaurants that I may like. Service at restaurants is not like in America, so they are not as friendly…unless you were me for some reason. I do not eat pork or seafood so some places went and got chicken for when I came in. Literally, made chicken breast dishes in preparation for when I came back. That level of kindness is unheard of. The people of Salamanca were not used to seeing a person like me and gave me many odd looks. But when I would speak with them they were all kind and helpful. The staff of Estudio Sampere were amazing. The educators there are patient and help every step of the way to ensure you understand the materials.

The field trips and excursions changed my life. I realized so much I had missed out on or what life would have been like if I had done this sooner. San Sebastian managed to produce one of the greatest nights of my life. Biarritz produces one of the greatest days of my life the following morning. The history and natural beauty of all of the locations cannot be imagined and the experiences I had could never be duplicated without the SPC group I was with.

The professors were amazing! Prof. Levin and Albrecht could not have been more supportive and understanding. They made sure everyone was taken care of and facilitated any need we may have had. They held tutoring every morning to help with the course load and usher the learning process. They became more than professors and built relationships that are far deeper than in any classroom. The experience for me has been life changing. The trip has torn down walls that I had built up for reason that have been wiped from my memory. The excursions, the city, the people, the classmates were all so amazing that I cannot imagine how much it would have hindered my life if I did not go. The study abroad SPC program changed my perspective on life, changed how I feel about myself and others, and has created friendships that I hope will last as long as the memories.

No matter how you think or feel, or what you are scared or nervous about, if you have the chance to go – DO IT.” – Len Nettles, Study Abroad Student, Spain 2018