Spain : Reviews (Salamanca)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
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Olivia C Austin,
Spring 2017 Participant
Living with a host family was my favorite part because we were truly immersed in the culture and lifestyle of Spain.
Molly K Bollman,
Spring 2017 Participant
My favorite part was that I was able to meet so many KU students as well as students from other universities in the US. I also loved living with a host family because it was complete immersion with the language and culture.
Spring 2017 Participant
Loved the language/grammar classes. Best professors ever. I learned more in 4 months than I have in 7 years.
Madeline Grace Goodgame,
Spring 2017 Participant
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to enroll in a university in Spain and attend classes. It was a wonderful cultural immersion experience that altered how I think about our own education system. It was a challenge worth taking.
Andie N Kindsvater,
Spring 2017 Participant
My favorite part was the city of Salamanca itself. The city is beautiful and the historic monuments are, for lack of better words, so beautiful too. It is easy to get around and enjoyable to explore. I found every aspect of Salamanca welcoming and comfortable and at the end of the semester, I truly considered it to be like a home. I miss it dearly already.
Spring 2017 Participant
Living in Salamanca was an absolute pleasure. The Spanish culture is evident in every aspect of life and the community was very welcoming. The professors at IES were understanding that we were American students with varying levels of Spanish and were very helpful whenever I had questions or concern.
Trang T Nguyen,
Spring 2017 Participant
I enjoyed living with a host family and being completely immersed in the Spanish culture! It was such a unique experience to bond with my host parents, all the while learning about the lifestyle and cuisine.
Spring 2017 Participant
My favorite part of this program was being able to live with a host family while in Spain. It really helped immerse me in the culture and improve my language skills.
Spring 2018 Participant
My favorite part was the cultural experience of living in a city with students from countries all over the world, all jointly seeking to learn Spanish.
Selena Fierro,
Spring 2018 Participant
My favorite part of the program was staying with a host family. It was an amazing experience to be able to stay with a Spanish family. I was able to learn a lot about the Spanish culture from them, as well as eating common Spanish dishes.
Spring 2018 Participant
I loved being in Salamanca--the size was perfect and the history fascinating. I also really appreciated that the staff genuinely cared about our well-being and tried their best to set us up for success.
Mary N Joyce,
Spring 2018 Participant
My favorite part of the program was learning about the Spanish culture by living with a host family. My Spanish family welcomed me into their home with open arms and made me feel at ease. During the semester, my family and I went to many events together such as pot lucks, workout classes, cooking demonstrations and weekly lunches.
Spring 2019 Participant
I loved the city of Salamanca. I felt that it was a more authentic experience than studying in a large metropolitan city. The university atmosphere, history of the city, restaurants, and plazas were great. Our program was also smaller which I really appreciated because we all got very close and made many memories together.
Matthew R Schnell,
Spring 2019 Participant
I would say that my favorite part of this program overall was being able to live with a host family. It was a great way to improve language skills as well as experience Spanish culture first-hand. My host family always encouraged me to speak Spanish and tried to help me improve my speaking skills. The food was great too!
Spring 2020 Participant
The best part about the Salamanca program is that the program leaders make sure that we fully experience a new culture. The excursions that we did as a group were amazing and I loved living with a host family. I also made friends with people from different schools across the country.
Spring 2020 Participant
My favorite part of the Salamanca program was being in a historic city and speaking Spanish with people that wanted to help you learn. The city is used to foreign students learning the language and the people are patient.
Spring 2015 Participant
I found the total immersion aspect of the Spanish language the most rewarding. Although I initially found it very difficult adapting to a society where no one spoke English, I was very proud of myself for surviving four months with my Spanish, and I believe that I have improved immensely. I also believe that total immersion is the best way to fully learn and master another language.
Spring 2017 Participant
Host stay exceeded my expectations. Loved having a roommate. Classes were small and comfortable to practice speaking.
Madeline Grace Goodgame,
Spring 2017 Participant
Living with a host family, though an adjustment, was an invaluable help to my language skills and at times a wonderful comfort.
Spring 2017 Participant
Study abroad can be intimidating but after a couple weeks when you realize that you are succeeding in a foreign setting it is very rewarding. For me, the most rewarding part was when I could finally communicate with the locals without feeling flustered. I was reluctant to speak when I first arrived for fear of making mistakes but once I moved past that, I think I learned a lot and it all payed off.
Trang T Nguyen,
Spring 2017 Participant
I was proud of myself for greatly improving my Spanish. I became more comfortable making mistakes and immersing myself in the language.
Spring 2017 Participant
The homestay was an amazing experience and very rewarding.
Spring 2018 Participant
The most rewarding part of this program, was my experience with my host family. It greatly improved my Spanish speaking skills and gave me the chance to have a very personal relationship with a Spanish family.
Spring 2018 Participant
I found my relationships with other Spanish students the most rewarding. They were great friends but also a great tool to learn about Spanish culture and practice my language skills!
Mary N Joyce,
Spring 2018 Participant
The most rewarding element was being placed into an environment where speaking Spanish was the only option for communication. I became very confident and comfortable with my speaking abilities and this was one of my biggest take aways from the program.
Spring 2019 Participant
I was surprised how much my Spanish language skills improved. This was very rewarding and attribute it to the fact that all of my classes were in Spanish, living with a host family, and having to speak in Spanish when out and about in the city (unlike Madrid or Barcelona, not very many people speak English). I also found it rewarding to meet new friends from the U.S. and other countries. These friendships will last a lifetime.
Matthew R Schnell,
Spring 2019 Participant
The most rewarding thing about this program for me was the constant immersion into the language. Although challenging at times, my overall ability to communicate in Spanish definitely improved throughout the semester.
Spring 2020 Participant
I think the most rewarding thing about studying abroad is the opportunity to experience another culture up close and personal. I loved Salamanca because basically no people spoke English, so it really challenged me to get my Spanish to the best level possible.
Spring 2020 Participant
I loved the faculty at the IES abroad Salamanca Center. They welcomed all of us with open arms and made us feel at home. I also loved getting to know my fellow classmates that were on the trip with me!
Spring 2020 Participant
I found that staying with my host mom was the most rewarding part. She was so kind and sweet to me. I loved that even when I came home after school, I was still able to be immersed in the culture because my host mom taught me things that even school can't teach.
Spring 2020 Participant
It was rewarding to not only have survived in a completely new environment, but also to have thrived! Learning Spanish and being fully immersed in a different culture seemed scary at times, but exceeded all my expectations, which was rewarding.
Spring 2015 Participant
I learned that I am a lot more capable than I ever thought. I learned that procrastination keeps you from doing your best and experiencing a lot of things. Getting involved is the most important thing you can do, and stay true to yourself and your beliefs.
Olivia C Austin,
Spring 2017 Participant
I learned so much about the Spanish language and culture that I never would have learned had I not studied abroad. I learned how to travel, be independent, be more confident in my language abilities and I made so many new friends that I never would have made if I didn't study abroad.
Spring 2017 Participant
Salamanca is far away from major cities and airports. If you want to travel budget an extra 50 euro for each trip. Learned so much more about Spanish culture than any other students studying in Spain. Salamanca is authentic.
Madeline Grace Goodgame,
Spring 2017 Participant
I had the most fun getting to know students outside of my own university and program. Finding other exchange students from other countries was so helpful.They helped me with my language skills and related to being in a foreign place speaking a foreign language.
Andie N Kindsvater,
Spring 2017 Participant
The best piece of advice I can give is to branch out. Take advantage of the program activities, try to meet and create relationships with your program mentors and other Spanish students, plan intercambios and enjoy every minute. At times it will be overwhelming and frustrating but it will be the best experience.
Spring 2017 Participant
Salamanca is an amazing city to live and study in. The community was welcoming and there is plenty to do. The IES abroad center is located pretty centrally in the city but only consists of a couple of classrooms. The courses were engaging but not exceedingly difficult by any means.
Trang T Nguyen,
Spring 2017 Participant
I learned to really take advantage of the opportunities that are offered and don't be afraid to reach out and bond with your fellow classmates from all over the US.
Spring 2018 Participant
I simply learned to get involved with everything; join clubs, go out with friends, participate the programs events. It's the most important part and where you learn the most!
Spring 2018 Participant
Don't be afraid to go try new things. Go to a dance class, take university classes, go get coffee with a native. I got out of my comfort zone a few times but the results and what I learned were always worth the risk.
Mary N Joyce,
Spring 2018 Participant
I would advise students in the future to get involved with at least one organization or activity that is new to them. I joined a gym where all of the workout classes were taught in Spanish. Although it was very daunting at first, I loved learning about fitness in a new language.
Spring 2019 Participant
The Salamanca program and those that have completed it are a unique family. It is a program that really cares about your well-being and experience. I learned that Spain has a lot to offer and a bus ride to Madrid can take you anywhere.
Matthew R Schnell,
Spring 2019 Participant
Aside from learning how to speak and understand the language effectively, you also learn a lot about culture and lifestyle that are completely unique from the United States. To be able to understand how the world works in different countries and cultures from experience is something that is invaluable, in my opinion.