My name is Lily Stayduhar, and I am a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Communications with a minor in Spanish. This fall semester I have the opportunity to travel to Spain for CofC’s Trujillo study abroad program. This year, students with concentrations in communications, english, and women and gender studies could join this program and stay with host families in Trujillo.

I decided to participate in this program because I have always wanted to study abroad and travel in general. The opportunity to take communications classes through CofC with some of its professors, as well as stay with a host family was really special and unlike most study abroad experiences. It offered me the classes I needed, a great location, and a really culturally immersive experience for living abroad.

A few goals I have set for myself during my time abroad include improving my Spanish, of course, as well as learning a lot about the culture that I will be experiencing. I hope to build new friendships and connections with the people I meet, in the program and out, as well as form a lasting relationship with my host family and learn about their lives and culture. I hope to try new things everyday, especially food! And lastly, I will strive to learn new things about myself, and hopefully grow in a multitude of ways throughout this experience.

I have researched different things about Spain and Europe in general, from cultural customs to what not to do so I don’t seem like an American! I’ve learned of the different regions in Spain, and the temperature, climate and people in Extremadura; the region in which Trujillo is located.