Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in Salamanca, Spain

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

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 :)