IES Abroad Salamanca, Spain – Language & Culture

My experience of studying abroad was amazing! My most memorable experiences were the following; the relationship I built with several professors, traveling and the experience. I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of 7. I remember going through massive cultural shock when I first came to the U.S. Not only was I in a new country where I did not speak the same language as the rest but I also missed my friends and teachers. Studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country really hit home. Having the opportunity to attend classes in Spanish and growing a relationship with the professors was such an amazing experience. It felt like I was back in Mexico learning and speaking in Spanish. Traveling around Europe has always been one of my dreams and IES Abroad Salamanca made that possible by providing us with the right information about where to travel and the time. Overall the experience was amazing if I was able to do it again I would.

I know that I definitely made the right choice by choosing Salamanca. This was the perfect city to learn Spanish in. Even though there were only four of us in the program, as this was the first time the program was being held, I feel like I still gained a lot from the experience. The small class sizes provided me with the opportunity to truly learn Spanish and to actively participate in class. I was also given the chance to learn about psychology and sociology from a different perspective. I had three classes with IES and two classes at the university (Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca-UPSA). However, I only had one class in Spanish and I lived in the residence halls. As a result, I did my best to participate in activities that would help me speak Spanish more often. I went to some Intercambio nights and I also had multiple intercambios. I also tried my best to meet up with the orientation leaders, volunteers and grad assistant whenever I had the chance. By doing all this, I got to know the language and culture better.

Being able to walk around everywhere in the city was also a highlight for me as my college is in LA. The staff at the center were also very helpful and the activities that they provided were very fun. This university city was truly the best place to meet students from different cities and the best place to really learn Spanish and more about the culture. I made so many amazing memories and I hope to return to Salamanca one day.

I've always been a science person because the way I'm introduced to languages at school was not appealing. When I went abroad, rather than language being part of a textbook, I got to experience language as the lifeline of a culture and community. I am very grateful for this opportunity to learn Spanish. I have had some experience with French in high school but had no experience with Spanish whatsoever. Nevertheless, I was able to learn a lot through fantastic teachers. I absolutely adored my teacher. She had an OK background with English, but I was able to learn through miming and actions. I looked forward to going to class everyday because Spanish felt more like a hobby rather than simply a subject in school. I heard the same satisfactory feedback about my peers’ teachers, who were in more advanced levels.

With regards to outside the classroom, homestay was the way to go. I was able to practice my Spanish with my homestay family, who were accustomed to hosting students. On the weekends, we were free to travel. On one weekend, we had a trip to Portugal. Throughout the month, the program planned various cultural activities such as salsa lessons and cooking sessions. I highly recommend this program to students who want a sense of independence to explore the Spanish culture and lifestyle while also under the security and support of an established program.

Being abroad by yourself when you are only 19 years old can sometimes seem scary, but trust me it is an experience you won't want to miss. Not only did I learn so much about Spain and Spanish culture, I also learned more about myself and grew as a person. I became more responsible, more independent, and most importantly more aware about the world we live in. Salamanca is a beautiful college town, with a university that is over 800 years old! The classes were great, the activities IES planned for us were so much fun, and the memories I made were priceless! The most pure and traditional Spanish is spoken there and I found myself almost fluent when I left. IES included a trip to Portugal as well which was amazing! All in all, a 10/10 experience and would highly recommend!

Most study abroad students choose to do a semester study abroad, but as a double major I knew that I would not be able to graduate on time and complete a study abroad- I opted for the Salamanca summer program, and I am so glad I did. I was able to pack a semester full of memories into one unforgettable summer! Through IES Abroad and the awesome staff in the Salamanca office I felt prepared and informed to make Salamanca my own, and explore the city and all that Spain had to offer. Salamanca is the perfect sized city for students who want an authentic cultural experience in an urban setting, while still having a "college town" feel. Similarly, the city of Salamanca is very friendly to foreign students and encourages them to try their spanish. They are patient and understanding, and want to help you learn! Outside of learning the language there are lots of things to do- such as museums, shows, parks, restaurants- and 2 main train station stops if you want to leave for the weekend and explore Spain and more of Europe!

The IES abroad center was a great home location, and organized social events and activities for us to enjoy and get to know each other better. Thanks to our full schedule of activities I felt more comfortable branching out and exploring Salamanca. My newfound friends and I even explored other parts of Spain too! Overall, Salamanca is the perfect balance between a bustling city and university town. At my current university I feel more open to trying new things and going out of my comfort zone, and I can't thank IES and the staff at Salamanca enough for fostering that sense of confidence in me!

As a winter sport athlete, I was worried that I wouldn't get to study abroad and get that experience in my life like my of my friends. IES Abroad gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to study over the summer so that I could still have an international experience. The administration in Salamanca are actually amazing, and each of them provides so many opportunities to immerse yourself in the language, the culture, and in just cultivating friendships. I definitely was pushed out of my comfort zone with this program because I didn't know anyone going into it, but it was so worthwhile. I met so many new people that I still talk to everyday and getting the opportunity to better my language skills has proved invaluable to my career development as well as my own personal goals. I can't thank IES Abroad enough for giving me the Study abroad experience that I dreamed of. I have definitely been more inspired to try new things since coming home, especially stepping out of my comfort zone. My Spanish classes are much more interesting and I love being able to practice the skills I learned abroad in those classes.

I can't write enough positive words about my experience abroad. I was terrified to go abroad with a disability, but IES Salamanca made me feel very comfortable. I felt safe, secure, and happy and made friendships that will last a lifetime. I improved my Spanish skills immensely and was able to travel independently. This small intimate program is perfect for language intensive activities as it is rigorous, fun, supportive, and inclusive.

Salamanca is an incredibly beautiful city. Prior to my trip, I had never travelled to Europe. The beauty of Salamanca set my standards for the rest of Europe very high. Although Madrid, Paris, and Rome were beautiful, no other place during my travels compared to this city. The city is so well preserved that it is like stepping back in time. The first weekend I spent there left me completely in awe. I spent the first week going to class and then purposefully getting lost and exploring all of the hidden treasures of the city. The best way to explore is to just wander. The city is small enough that you won't end up in a "bad" neighborhood, but large enough that you can safely get lost in the beauty.