Why did you decide to study abroad with IES Abroad in Salamanca?
Michael Caracciolo: I wanted an immersion experience where I would speak, learn, and live like a Spaniard. I liked that I could take classes at La Universidad de Salamanca and live in the dorms with other Spanish students. Plus, the size of Salamanca is perfect, it’s not too big and not too small. It’s a student city, meaning low prices and tons of stuff to do, and it’s located real close to Madrid, so traveling is easy.
What made this study abroad experience unique and special?
Michael Caracciolo: As far as I know, IES Salamanca is the only program in Spain that allows for such an amazing student immersion experience. I had the time of my life living in the dorms (Cuenca) and my initiation into the dorm or "novatadas" was what made my experience extremely unique and special. I met tons of spanish students and other foreign students while doing silly "tareas" like singing to the Cuenca veteran Spanish girls, getting my face painted, running obstacle courses, running around cups of calimocho, drinking calimoco, and going out with the whole dorm. It was an amazing experience that allowed me to meet my friends for the rest of the semester, be ridiculous and be spanish. Lo pasé genial :).
How has this experience impacted your future?
Michael Caracciolo: I’ve realized that I love speaking Spanish and I’ve decided that I will become fluent. Also, I currently have an internship in Mexico City that I don’t think I would have gotten had I not gone to Salamanca and learned Spanish.