My study abroad experience was like nothing I have ever done before. It was truly a time filled with stories that I will tell for the rest of my life. My favorite place that we visited was Lisbon, Portugal. If I could choose any of the places to return to, that would definitely be first on my list. The architecture and geography were beautiful. Every single building was decorated with colorful tiles, and the city was right on the ocean. This was also my favorite hotel.

Next, in Evora, we saw the Cathedral of Bones. This was such an eerie sight, but absolutely breathtaking. So many beautiful churches and cathedrals were visited on this trip. Seeing such beautiful places is such an out of body experience. I also loved my time in Spain. Once again, the cities were absolutely gorgeous. Even the bus ride in between destinations was a sight to see. The food was also spectacular. My favorite part of the entire trip, hands down, were the cappuccinos.

The surface part of my experience was amazing. The cuisine, hotels, views, were all lovely. What meant the most to me, however, was how I felt changed as a person. I made new relationships and was taught new ways of life. The people I traveled with are now people I consider my best friends, and I see the girls that were my roommates on a weekly basis. There were also three other states that we traveled with, and I am still in contact with the friends we made. Not only did I learn European culture, but I also learned the culture of states across the country. This trip also really helped me to put my life into perspective. It is so easy to make small problems big, but seeing more of the world has stopped me from doing this. It is such a wakeup call to go so far away from home, meet new people, and see new things. It is a great teaching moment that life is so much bigger than what I experience on an everyday basis at home. I will be forever grateful for this trip and the memories I made.
– Magdeline, SPC Spain and Portugal (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2025