Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain with WorldStrides

Studying abroad was one of the best and most impactful experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself and what I want out of my life. Salamanca was the perfect fit for me, not too large, but always had something going on. The on-site WorldStrides directors in Salamanca were so helpful, kind, and always available for anything that we needed.

Universidad de Salamanca placed me at the right level for me to understand, but also get the most out of my time there. They were very accommodating to everyone's needs, and the professors were amazing. Out of my five professors during my time there, only one of them was bad. I loved Marta, she's the sweetest! During their summer sessions, we had class Monday through Friday from 9am until 1 or 2pm. You get 3 free skip days each month-long session, and if you miss more, then you fail. I used my days each month for extending weekend travel, which I highly recommend.

WorldStrides figures everything out for you with the university and helps you with any issues you may have. They pick you up from the airport in Madrid. You get to stay 3 nights in a fancy hotel while exploring Madrid with organized tours, informational meetings to prepare you for Salamanca, and getting to know your group during free time. While in Salamanca, WorldStrides had many activities for us, such as tours, cooking classes, dancing classes, and boats. Another amazing experience was the trip to Santander, which was completely included.

I stayed in a Residencia, which I would recommend over a homestay. It is similar to a US college dorm, and I loved having my own space and not living with the uncertainty of a family, which some of my group members had some difficulties with. But do what feels right for you! Before I went abroad, I was worried about meeting people, but I made so many friends. There are so many opportunities in your group, classes, Residencia, around town, and in your travels.

Another thing is that I traveled so much in my 2.5 months. I got to go to Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia, as well as many weekend trips around Spain. I absolutely adored the north of Spain! This experience is what you make of it, and you will get out what you put into it. I did find myself in an English bubble, and sometimes I wish that I had spoken more Spanish. But I love all the English-speaking friends I made from all over the world. Thank you, WorldStrides! And to you reading this, go have the time of your life abroad :)

I had the best time spending the month of July in Salamanca, Spain! I never felt alone because there were many other students in the area, along with a very accessible and supportive Worldstrides team. Not to mention the support from my amazing host family that was willing to help me in any way they could. My classes were at a great level that left me feeling challenged but not overwhelmed. There was never a moment that I felt bored during the program because of the vibrant nightlife, exciting excursions, and constant opportunities to meet new people. I would recommend studying in Salamanca to anyone who wants to be encapsulated by a culturally rich and historic environment with a blend of youthful energy.

During my time in Salamanca I had the best time. I have always been a city girl but knowing that I would walk everywhere, I was searching for a city where everything I needed was at walking distance. Salamanca was the perfect middle ground for that. I got to experience the city life without needing to travel miles across town for the best restaurants and cafes. I lived in a "residencia" with other students from other programs who were also studying abroad or were students that were studying their full college career in Salamanca. Salamanca was a city I feel in love with because of the history, the culture and the people. I enjoyed exploring new corners of the city center, expanding and challenging my Spanish speaking skills, shopping and building new friendships!

Before I studied abroad, I didn’t really understand why everyone who had before loved it so much. My 2 week program took place in Salamanca, Spain and I stayed with a home stay. I absolutely loved the city; it was safe, beautiful, clean, full of history, and overall incredible. The ISA staff on site was so incredibly helpful with everything, and my host abuela was so welcoming and loving. I had not a single complaint throughout the whole program. Now I really understand why students love studying abroad!

When I was deciding on where to study abroad, I knew I wanted a town where I would deeply get to know the area, people, and culture, and Salamanca was the perfect place for that! I really enjoyed that It was the perfect size where when I would be walking back from class I might pass by classmates and friends who were sitting at street cafes, or when going out for a night, I would run into those same classmates or even professors and ISA staff. During my time there, I felt like I really understood the city and found my favorite cafes and spots to hang out, but there was always more to explore. Salamanca is close to a lot of really gorgeous nature and countryside, so my friends and I would always rent bikes in the city and take them to neighboring cities and spend days just exploring!
Through ISA I was also able to go on some amazing trips, both to cities nearby Salamanca, and those in different countries! I was able to really get a good sense of the country around me through these trips and some of the personal ones I took, and would learn a lot about the culture and history in each city we went to. Because my Spanish language skills were not the best when I showed up, I was able to take some of my classes in English which helped me feel more comfortable with the transition to understanding all the other parts of my study abroad experience that were completely in Spanish. I stayed in a resedencia (dorm-style apartment living) and really enjoyed the freedom it gave me and variety of people I was able to meet.
I am super glad I studied abroad in Salamanca, and have made memories and friends I will keep forever!

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 :)