I love public transportation, more specifically trains. Growing up in the DC metro area I spent a lot of time using the local metro to get around and see the city. So since the first day we arrived and started using the train system in Lisbon, I have been just enjoying learning their train system and comparing it to my experience back home. The first difference is the DC metro…

Throughout my month here in Trujillo I have visited many different places in Spain and Portugal. The first week we had a visit to Caceres in order to see the city and learn about the rich history, especially because it is so close to us here in Trujillo. It was beautiful, particularly the old part of the city that has the palace. We had a walking tour in the morning…

One of the most important things in studying abroad is to learn to say yes more. It is so easy to turn down new experiences because you are unsure if you will enjoy something, fearful of the unknown, or wary about change. It’s completely normal to feel this way, but these inhibitions will hold you back from some of the best experiences of your time abroad and maybe even your…

Every day as I reflect on my spring semester in Trujillo, Spain, I realize how much of a privilege and pleasure it was to live in Spain. While I was perpetually outside of my comfort zone, I grew and learned more than I could have imagined. I am grateful for the College of Charleston Trujillo program for such a well rounded experience. I would advise future study abroad students to…

During my Maymester in Italy, I learned so much and had such an amazing time. My program was in Reggio Emilia, Italy to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood learning. I would say that my favorite part of studying abroad was getting to go into the different schools. I got to shadow in three different preschools and one 5th grade classroom. I also got to teach a…

The cultural customs in Spain are quite funny. The people love to go out at night, but during the day it is very quiet. This is especially true in a town like Trujillo because of the size. There is a custom of “tapas”, where you go out and snack with friends, as well as drink. Some examples of this food would be Jamón Ibérico, pasta, or potatoes. The locals really…

My name is Mattea Harper, and I am a senior in the Middle Grades Education program with concentrations in Science and Math. I chose the Trujillo, Spain program because there is a focus on immersion learning of both language and culture. Learning Spanish has been touch and go for me, so I believe that being immersed in the language will enable me to learn the language better. Additionally, immersing myself…

As part of my international experience in Florence, Italy, my classmates and I are able to gain experience working with children in a variety of unique settings including a local school, children’s hospital, and community garden. Throughout each of these experiences it has been amazing to see how we can form relationships with children and facilitate play programming despite the presence of a language barrier. Working with children in an…

My favorite food I’ve tried so far in Ireland is Dingle Sea Salt ice cream. It is from Murphy’s ice cream shop, and it is made with sea salt from the Dingle Bay in Ireland. It is amazing! I tried it in Galway first, but they have chains in other areas of Ireland as well. A typical day here involves hopping on the Luas (similar to a metro) to get…

Hi all, I’m Allison and I’m a rising junior here at the college and am participating in the Spoleto Study Abroad program! I’m a double major in English and History and a double minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and African American Studies. As you can probably tell from my chosen programs of study, I chose the Spoleto program for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which because…