As a foreign language major (or minor), I think that having a study abroad experience is so important. Last spring I decided last minute that I wanted to do the Summer Salamanca program in Spain.  I was in desperate need of credits in order to graduate in a timely manner and I had heard from a friend who did this program that it was amazing and that you get 9 credits. I thought that this sounded amazing and was very happy to hear that you get 9 credits in just one month. It seemed like an opportunity I could not pass up. 

While in Salamanca, we lived with host families, which I can not emphasize enough how great it is to live with a host family (in my experience). My host family made me feel so at home and were the nicest people. I might add that living with a host family is the best way to improve your Spanish speaking skills! We also went to school for 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. What’s great about this program is that you get to choose what classes you want to take at the university, and you are assigned a level based on a placement test you take. Aside from going to classes, during the trip, we had a planned weekend excursion to Santiago de Compostela which is in the north of Spain and a day trip to Segovia. One of the best parts of the trip was having a weekend free to stay in Salamanca or to go off on separate weekend trips. Most people on the trip decided to go to Porto in Portugal. Since I had never been to Portugal, I thought it might be fun to explore a new country. Aside from the trips we took, in Salamanca, I got to ride a horse for the first time, lounge by the pools after lunchtime, explore restaurants around the city and make new friends I never would’ve met otherwise. 

 I really cannot express enough what a great program this is. For anyone who either doesn’t want to study abroad for a whole semester or can’t afford it, regardless of your reason, I strongly encourage you to look into the Salamanca program. It’s much more affordable than going abroad for a whole semester and they offer really great financial aid. You’ll get 9 credits in a month while studying Spanish in a beautiful and historic city.  What more can you ask for?! I really had the time of my life and miss Spain so much, but I know I will go back. The experiences you have studying abroad stick with you forever, and I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity; most importantly, I hope more people will choose to take advantage of this incredible program. I promise you it’s a trip you won’t regret!!