Study Abroad with SPC was an incredible experience. I first started the trip with a horrible stomach flu brought on by food poisoning prior to my arrival. Therefore I had to attend the hospital in Salamanca which I would highly recommend. I felt so safe thanks to fantastic professora Roxana who stayed with me the entire time. I am forever grateful for her kindness. I was lucky enough to have the most amazing host family that love foreigners. Every meal- breakfast, lunch, and dinner- felt like a 30 minute Spanish lesson. The family went out of their way to sit, eat and converse with me slowly in Spanish since I am in Spanish one. I know that my understanding of the Spanish language has increased due to the new words I would learn at each meal. My only regret was not taking a Spanish class directly before the trip. The last Spanish I took was 6 years ago so it was very difficult at first to catch up.

I’ve never walked so much in my life but truly enjoyed my daily walk to school as I visited the incredible Plaza Mayor. The school had very upbeat and interesting teachers which made class fun. I would use the Spanish I learned in class to converse with locals and my family. It was a genuine pleasure getting to know everyone in my class and I feel as though I made some great friends.

The fashion displayed by everyone in Spain is incredible! No matter what age or gender everyone matches. I loved just to admire the people walking the plaza. It’s very different than America. Looking at the hundreds of shops located throughout the city was one of my favorite pastimes as well as ordering tapas at the hundreds of restaurants. The coffee is amazing and my favorite drink is coffee with ice cream.

My favorite tour was of the castle in Segovia and the walls of Avila. The school taught salsa and flamenco which was so much fun! Then we were given the opportunity to watch an authentic flamenco show which was so memorable. I would definitely study abroad again with SPC to learn Spanish. The program is scheduled so well that I felt I had plenty of time to explore while staying very active with the group. I had the best professor as she scheduled additional voluntary activities to view the historical sites. Honestly it was such a pleasure to travel with someone that is very knowledgeable about the town. The whole experience was incredible and I feel like a stronger and wiser person who knows her Spanish mejor!