ISA Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

I participated in a 6-month study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain where I took courses with the locals about topics related to my linguistics major. At first, I was terrified of leaving behind my seemingly perfect life in the US. But as soon as I arrived, I knew I had made the right choice.
Salamanca was a beautiful city that was very different from every other place I have lived. I stayed with a host family in a lovely apartment and although the language barrier was tricky in the beginning, the host mom quickly became my best friend. She helped me pick my outfits for school, she taught me how to cook some delicious meals, and she made my transition into a new culture fun and simple.
Over the course of my stay there, my Spanish language skills improved tremendously. I never thought I would become fluent, but after being surrounded by the language every day I started to think and even dream in Spanish. The coursework was definitely challenging but it was also incredibly interesting and the program staff was always available to help me. I felt like I learned more in my 6 months there than I had in my 5 years of studying Spanish in the US.
Not only did I grow academically from this trip but I also grew as a person. Living in a different country and having to adapt to a new culture expanded my mind in ways I wasn't expecting. I met amazing people from all over the world and I gained confidence that allowed me to take on challenges that I would have previously seen as too intimidating.
I had so much fun during my study abroad experience and I made so many best friends that I decided to spend the summer in Europe after my program ended. I traveled to almost all of the nearby countries and I began to see the world with a new perspective.
If I had the chance, I would do this all over again!

My experience studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain was one of the most life-changing and formative experiences of my life. Studying at one of the oldest universities in the world was definitely an amazing experience, but this program provides so much more than that. Onsight staff provide excellent support and opportunities to travel around Spain and beyond. The city is the perfect medium-sized city (I think it's great for people who are not accustomed to city living). The nightlife and cafe culture offer limitless opportunities for social engagement. I also found professional outlets that have helped me apply for graduate school, such as volunteer English second language teaching at a local school. Salamanca is the perfect place for students who might feel like other metropolitan areas aren't the right fit. My experience abroad is something that I can positively say will stay with me for the rest of my life!

Growing up, my family and I never got the chance to travel other than the occasional trip to Kansas City for a softball tournament and Wisconsin Dells when I was 12. Being from South Dakota, a very rural state lacking in excitement and diversity, I wanted to explore the world while improving my Spanish language skills. ISA granted me the perfect opportunity to do so. The size of Salamanca was perfect. Not nearly as chaotic and overwhelming as Madrid, but far from being as dry as my college town. For starters, the staff at ISA are excellent at communicating and responding to every concern and question you may have about your trip abroad. Their website presents hundreds of programs in over 69 different countries so you will definitely be able to find one that works for you! My trip abroad included excursions to Portugal, Sevilla, Segovia, Madrid, and Toledo, along with an optional trip to Morocco, which I endured of course. I rode camels and ATVs through the Sahara desert, took a tram up the Swiss Alps, and ate one too many tapas, all while growing my Spanish speaking abilities! I also made lifelong friends who I still stay in contact with to this day! Thank you ISA :)

Salamanca is a small, unique, historic, lively, young city, perfect for students looking for a richly cultured experience abroad. Salamanca is so gorgeous and historic, yet it has such a large student population that it is incredibly young and vibrant, especially at night! The food, atmosphere, nightlife, and even daytime activities kept me busy and entertained all day everyday. I made some very dear friends in my program, and made friends with locals! The people of Salamanca-especially students--are just as eager to meet new people and make friends as you are. Unlike the larger cities of Spain, Salamanca is very small and walkable and CHEAP!!! This made coming back from traveling to bustling, more expensive cities so comforting because life in Salamanca is more relaxed. I can count on one hand how many times I used a taxi and/or public transportation there. My professors were all wonderful. They were passionate about the subjects they taught and engaged in our learning process. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this city and this program. I miss it everyday and will definitely return to the Golden City.

This was my first time studying abroad. I was beyond nervous, but this was the best experience of my life. ISA had so many opportunities and activities that kept us busy but we still had the opportunity to hangout and explore with our friends. The staff was beyond exceptional, and supported me with all my fears and complications. My first problem was missing luggage and the staff called the airport and had my luggage sent to my hotel room. I had the best time. I have no complaints at all. There were many opportunities after ISA.

I originally signed up to do a program in Spain with one of my college friends. She backed out a few months before we were supposed to go. I thought about backing out too, but decided to just go through with it. I was nervous, to say the least. I didn't know anyone and my Spanish wasn't that great. Thanks to ISA, I had the experience of a lifetime.

The ISA program put me in positions to meet other people. I made friends that I still talk to today. They helped me review areas of Spanish that were weak so I could keep up with my classes. More importantly, they helped my build the confidence to enjoy living in another country.

Salamanca is a very under-rated city in Spain and should seriously be considered more often by prospective students.
ISA staff was ALWAYS available for us, no matter the situation and they are all just so down to earth, friendly, warm and welcoming people.
Salamanca was by far my favorite city in Europe. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but it is also rich in history and culture. Walking into the Plaza Mayor for the first time was breath-taking, and each time I passed through, I could help but admire its beauty. The classes were very interesting, the professors were amazing, and the location of the city was very strategic. It was only a (2hr) bus ride away from the Madrid airport. My host parents were very accommodating and loved to cook for me and my roommate, yet were very understanding when we made other dinner plans with friends. I definitely recommend staying in a home stay in order to be fully immersed in the culture, and especially if learning spanish is a main goal of yours!

I loved studying abroad in Salamanca because it gave me a perfect immersion into Spanish culture with the college-town feel. My professors really fostered cultural learning and awareness, but were also in tune with international students wanting to experience the culture hands-on and outside the classroom as well. The ISA staff was beyond helpful with anything and everything, while my living situation in a residencia helped me make friends from all around Spain and develop in my speaking skills!