Volunteer Abroad in Castilla y León

I spent the first three months of my 2016 living and volunteering in a small town in Castilla y León, a central north region in Spain. My town was quiet (except during the week of Carnaval!), and I volunteered in two local high schools with the bilingual classes. The experience was one that you can't really explain unless you have experienced a similar situation, because so much growth and progress happens both internally and externally during that special time abroad. Three months feels like a short time, but you come back totally changed with a new perspective on the world. Strangers become family, unfamiliar cafes become regular hangouts (you know you're a regular when your wifi connects automatically!), and unfamiliar streets start to feel like home. CIEE does a great job of making initial connections for you, and following up with you during your time there. If you're on the edge and unsure, take the leap! Going abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made, and has led me to so many more wonderful opportunities!