Program Reviews

My overall SPI experience was an experience of a life time; I will truly never forget a single memory from this trip. My study abroad experience in Monteverde Costa Rica was my first true experience outside of the United States, as well as my first true experience where I had little control over my envirionment seeing that I was in a spanish speaking country. Upon meeting my homestay I was overly nervous and was scared for the next week of my life, but on the last day when we had to say goodbye I didn't want to leave; they became my second family. The excursions that were planned were amazing as well, we went zip lining, bridge walking, community service, played soccer with local kids as well as visited a beautiful beach on isla tortuga where I got to meet and play volleyball with other study abroad kids whom I am very good friends with even today. Here I am writing a review for the program and my experience but to be quite honest, I can't even fit all of the amazing memories that were gained from this trip and I cannot even fathom the feeling of enlightenment, and community, into a few sentences. I highly recommend traveling with SPI, the entire process from airports to day to day life was planned amazingly.

You read those reviews that start with "LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!!! :D", and it has absolutely zero effect on you. Out of all the reviews that claim something to be life changing, probably only 10-20% are genuinely so. However, SPI is part of that elite group. SPI provided me with experiences that simply weren't accessible for me back home. From bungee jumping with my new found friends to volunteering with the neighborhood kids, I honestly had an unforgettable experience. Not a once in a life time one- I'm returning next summer-, however it is one that I'll never forget.

My experience in San Sebastián was better than I could have ever imagined. My host family was really sweet and helped me improve my Spanish speaking skills. My teachers at Lacunza Language school were phenomenal and truly made coming to school fun. My favorite experience was going to Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. We had the ability to experience a cultural traditional and truly be involved in it. My time abroad introduced me to lifelong friends and increased my confidence and independence away from home.

The two and a half weeks I spent in Spain were some of the best days of my life. In my opinion, the most impactful part of this program was how you didn't feel like a tourist or outsider but instead a part of the community. In most immersion programs you still feel like an outsider, but after a few days I felt connected to the town. I believe the freedom in the afternoons and evenings was a large part of this because it forces you to figure the dialect, people, and town out. I also enjoyed the provided activities because they helped you embrace all parts of the town. I would highly recommend going if you have the chance too, it will change your life.

The trip was interesting and fun right off the bat. Once I got off the plain staff was welcoming and accommodating in every way. I loved volunteering where we got to help make houses look new again my adding concrete, painting, and sanding. Out activities were places around Flamingo Beach where I got to learn how to surf, paddleboard, and snorkel since those opportunities aren't present here in Michigan so it created a way to do things I'd never thought I'd have the chance to do. I also liked the amount of freedom when we got to walk around town shopping and exploring. It gave a since of adventure that was guided by the curiosity of my new friends and I.

The two weeks I spent in France last year mark a turning point in my studies of the French language, in my preparedness for university (I participated in SPI's program leading up to my first semester of college) and, more personally, as a first taste of independence. Since completing the program, my French has improved immensely; a year and a half later, I can mostly understand the language (spoken and written), and feel much more comfortable responding with a complex/detailed answer and conversing than I did before attending the program. As far as personal experience, the program provided an opportunity to explore a new place, meet new people, and problem solve independently; in this respect it was a valuable learning experience: I can now read maps like books, know how to ask for directions/help in French, can navigate a shop, use public transportation, etc.
Moreover, the program DEFINITELY gave me a unique experience as a participant-observer to daily life in Biarritz. Living with a homestay family had (still HAS, really) the most significant impact, for the experience showed me that language and culture is NOT necessarily a barrier, that with some effort and good humour, communication and connection is possible (and rewarding) between people, regardless fo their background.

Honestly, going into the program I had extremely high expectations because I had found the program a year before going and was mentally preparing and building up the experience of the entire year. It seemed almost impossible for the program to meet my expectations, but it did and went even further. Two days in I was hysterically texting my moms how thankful I was for them letting me go on the program. I always had something to be doing, and I made close life-long friends. My roommate and I used to joke that SPI had psychic abilities because of how amazing we were as a pair. We became best friends very quickly and loved spending time together, we complemented each other perfectly. As for housing and safety, our homestay was perfect, the woman had a daughter our age who we became incredibly close with. We speak many nights sitting and talking, all in Spanish, and she taught us how to cook many Spanish dishes! As for safety, it was my first time out of my origin country and I was really nervous but the program took such good care of me that I forgot my worries the second I met the staff in the airport. Besides being a safe town, San Sebástian is gorgeous and has so many things to do like climb the mountains, go to the beach or get food in La Parte Vieja. All in all, I recommend this program strongly because I loved it so much I'm going back next year for double the time!

I was sitting out in the surf line up in Biarritz, France, when everything clicked. I was sitting next to my instructor as we waited for a new set of waves to roll towards the beach. He asked me where I was from and what I was doing in Biarritz, how long I was staying, and how long I had been speaking French. It was after I answered his questions that I realized how much and how well I had understood him and how I was able to respond comfortably! It was this moment in Biarritz that gave me the confidence, experience, and practice to spend this year abroad in Brittany. SPI Feance has the perfect ratio of classes, trips, and free time. I was able to take surfing and cooking, and there were numerous other options as well. Another great thing about SPI is the wide range of experience each student had with the language. I had only taken French for one year, and I came out of the program capable of communicating a little bit of everything in French! SPI is a great program for anyone who loves language, travel, and having fun.

I absolutely love it in Spain! I loved SPI, I loved my homestay, I loved everything about my trip. There was nothing at all that I would want to improve about my trip because everything was already perfect. I can not wait until I get to go back to Spain. I've already told my parents that I would take them back to where I stayed and show them everything that I learned because I'm so excited that I got to go there. I want to tell everyone about it!

From home with constant contact via Facebook posts from SPI we felt up-to-date with everything our daughter was doing from the time she left with the group until even after she returned to us.

First international trip and without us it was a scary experience for all involved but exciting for what lie ahead.

She was on her own but with a group. Younger, older, richer, none poorer from all over the country. They all bonded as a family quickly.

4 hours in class every day didn't go over too well but it did pay off in the long run to learn from native speakers instead of some Spanish teacher from Nebraska in the USA. Simple phrases with slight tones made her love the language even more.

Her homestay could have been more involved with the family which was limited to basically breakfast and Good Nights before bed but it showed her how that culture lived day to day.

Adventures included surfing, ziplining, river tubing, and some cultural visits and plenty of time at the beach.

Volunteer time showed them you didn't have to have the latest Apple product to be happy. A simple paint job on the house makes a world of difference when you have a dirt floor.

More school than vacation it was I had hoped for in exposing our daughter to the larger world outside of our smaller town. Goo and bad as far as those with her on the trip as some made the most of every chance to expand their experiences while others simply counted the days until it was over. It was all what you made of it and our daughter made the most of it.

Overall I would send her again in a minute and would encourage everyone no matter their language level to take part in this trip.