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Author: Syd Atha | Majors: Biochemistry, Spanish | Semester: Summer 2025

In May of 2025, just days after finishing the semester, I stood alone in the Madrid Airport, having said goodbye to my parents and ready to begin a new adventure. I was traveling to Salamanca, Spain, with ISA by Worldstrides to improve my Spanish fluency and immerse myself in a different culture. I hoped this journey would not only sharpen my language skills but also help me grow more independent and confident in unfamiliar surroundings.

Although the program lasted only a month, it initially felt daunting. I was incredibly nervous. Most people I met did not speak English, so I had to rely solely on Spanish—something I often forgot when anxious. But as the culture shock began to fade, I found myself understanding more each day, and before long, I was communicating with ease. Time started flying by, and what once felt intimidating became exciting.

During the week, I attended four Spanish language classes: Advanced Grammar, Conversation and Composition, Oral Skills, and Written Skills. Each class met for about five hours a day. At first, I struggled to understand the professors, as everything was taught entirely in Spanish. I missed home and found myself craving the comfort of speaking English. However, by the second week, Spanish started to feel like second nature. Classes shifted from academic exercises to meaningful conversations about culture, values, and daily life. This transformation was greatly supported by my host family, who also did not speak English. Speaking Spanish became essential, and with time, it became empowering.

One of my favorite aspects of the program was life outside the classroom. After class, my friends and I would return to our host families for lunch and siesta, a tradition I quickly grew to love. Later, we’d meet in the Plaza Mayor for ice cream, tapas, and conversations under the Spanish sun. We often ended our days walking to the Old Cathedral, admiring Salamanca’s golden architecture. In these moments, the city began to feel like home.

On weekends, our group of fourteen students—each from a different U.S. state—traveled together to explore different regions of Spain. Traveling in a group eased my anxiety and created a sense of community that I cherished.

Our first trip was to Santander, a picturesque town in Northern Spain with the ocean to the north and mountains to the east. We attended a surfing lesson where I quickly realized I had no future as a surfer, but the laughter and bonding made it memorable. We concluded the weekend with a tour of nearby caves that far surpassed those in the Boston Mountains back home.

Next, we ventured south to Seville and Granada. Due to a festival in Salamanca, classes were suspended, giving us four days in Seville—my favorite Spanish city besides Salamanca. During this time, I experienced some of Spain’s richest cultural traditions. I watched a bullfight, attended a flamenco show, and witnessed a stunning sunset at the Alhambra. I also visited Seville’s magnificent cathedral, which houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. On our final day, we went paddle boarding on the river, laughing and soaking in the sun.

For our final weekend, my roommate Vanessa Eno and I took a trip to Lisbon, Portugal. We went coasteering in Sesimbra, which included cliff diving, rock climbing, and hiking with two incredible tour guides. We ended the trip at the EuroPride celebration, a vibrant and joyful way to wrap up our study abroad experience.

There were certainly moments when I felt stressed, homesick, or overwhelmed by culture shock. But every challenge I faced taught me resilience, patience, and how to find comfort in discomfort. The program staff and professors were supportive and accessible whenever I needed help. Salamanca, with its warm people and peaceful streets, gave me a sense of belonging I didn’t expect to find so far from home.

Though my time in Spain was short, the impact was lasting. I left feeling more capable, open-minded, and inspired to continue exploring the world. Studying abroad in Salamanca was an experience I will carry with me forever.