It has always been a dream of mine to go to Spain, but I never thought I’d ever get the chance to go until I started college and immediately looked into the study abroad program. Like many students, I kept putting it off because of money, and taking off so many days from work is sometimes challenging. Seeing my last opportunity coming up, I simply had to go.

Salamanca is the most beautiful city I have ever been to! It was beautiful in the morning, but gorgeous at night. The locals call it the Golden city, and you can immediately see why when you’re there; there’s something magical about it. Every day I was walking through a city that was hundreds of years old, living in a city full of history; the stories are all over the walls. I loved walking through the city and seeing a new parts that I hadn’t yet experienced.

The people there are just wonderful, and I could walk all day or night and not have anyone bother me. When I spoke with the locals, they did their best to help me understand and find what I was looking for. My house mom was the biggest help I had learning espanol. Every meal I had, she was there asking questions or telling me about what was going on in Spain, and she corrected me every time I said a word incorrectly. Living in that house was definitely an adjustment from home. Life in Salamanca wasn’t hard or uncomfortable, it was just different. So it took some work for me to change the way I was used to living and to adjust to my new life, and once I did, life was much easier. It would have been much easier to just complain about the situation instead of actually accepting it, but working with what I had made living there more fun.

There wasn’t a day I didn’t enjoy until the day I had to leave. Like most students, I spent my last night walking around the city saying goodbye; goodbye to the people who changed my life, to the people of Salamanca that helped me find my way, to my host mom who encouraged me to speak more, to the teachers who kept ensuring to us that we were doing great… Goodbye to the activities, the dancing, the talks of Salamanca’s history, art, and life, the bull fighting classes, the cooking classes, the trips to other beautiful cities: Segovia, Zamora, DoNostia, and Biarritz… Goodbye to the architect that has been there for many years.

I don’t know how or when it happened, but during the three weeks I was there, Salamanca stole my heart. I’ve been to many places near and very, very, far, but this trip has been the most worthwhile experience I have ever had. I knew this trip was worth taking, but I never knew what it would feel like. This trip wouldn’t have been as perfect, if it wasn’t for my travel-mate; we spent almost every moment together! I am so thankful to have had her right by my side throughout this amazing adventure, and of course all the students from SPC. I absolutely loved our group, many laughs. And I’m so thankful to SPC for this life-changing adventure!