Amazing program for a great price

I participated in Aspire by API's program in Salamanca last summer (2011) and had the time of my life. In Salamanca there were other high school groups but our's was by far the best. We had activities planned every afternoon, went on weekend excursion, and had the best directors.

The day started with a few hours of classes at the University of Salamanca. Ignoring the wonderful teachers, just the fact that it is the third oldest university in the world is so cool. Think 1215! The classes were small 15-20 and the teachers very enthusiastic. I loved going to classes because they were interesting and I got to hang out with people (mostly college students) from around the world. I'm still in touch with a girl from Korea.

I stayed with a home-stay and went home for lunch around 2pm. My host mom always made tons of delicious food. At first I felt bad because in Spain it is rude not to eat it all but I talked to her and explained that my stomach can't handle three big courses and a dessert. She understood and gave me smaller potion sizes.

After lunch (comida, for some reason they don't call it almuerzo) I would take a short siesta before going out into the town. We would shop or just hang out for a couple hours until 4-6 depending on what activity was planned that day. The activities were amazing we had cooking, salsa, and painting classes, visited museums, went on bike tours, ect.

Spaniards eat dinner late around 8-10 and it is a much lighter meal than lunch. I would usually go out after dinner but sometimes I would just stay and talk with my host mom or watch T.V. with her. She worried when we went out at night but understood the charms of the city.

Salamanca is an extremely safe city. I walked back to my apartment around 12-1 by myself a few times and felt completely safe. It is a perfect city for young people to be by themselves for the first time.

I could go on and on about how wonderful this program is but I hope you will take my word for it. I wish I could have done another program with Aspire by API this summer but I had to work:( I am planning on attending college in Spain because of this program. Thank you Marc and everyone else behind it.