My academic experience here in Spain differs in regards to my usual experience on campus in Charleston. To start, my classes take place in a charming and mystical converted convent in the heart of the medieval city of Trujillo, Spain. With a wrought-iron gate to enter, expansive arch walkways, and windows with breathtaking views, you can already see how it differs from the halls of the Maybank building. You can…
What advice do I have for future study abroad students? Be in the moment and try your absolute best to stay there. One thing I learned quickly from my study abroad experience is the fact that nothing lasts forever. I currently have less than a month left here in Spain, and I can’t grasp the fact that it wasn’t yesterday that my plane touched down in Madrid. The weather has…
The art of slowing down, it’s something the Spanish have mastered. I was shocked to find out that the concept of “siesta” was truth here in Spain. I thought to myself, “How could you just stop your day after lunch and rest? Don’t you have work?” Well, to my surprise, yes, yes, you can just stop your day. I soon found out that every day like clockwork, after a large lunch…
I have been back in the States for three days now, and it feels so strange. I already miss everything about Trujillo; my friends, my host family, the food, the town itself, and just the feeling that goes along with living in Spain. It has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life so far. I got to meet new people and learn about their culture, try amazing…
One of my absolute favorite things about my study abroad experience so far has been the food! I had heard about how great the food in Spain was, and was always so excited to try it. I am a pescetarian, meaning I don’t eat any types of meat except for fish, so I was nervous about how that would affect what my host family makes for me. However after the…
When I first arrived in Trujillo, the town was ending their two week long festivities celebrating their Saint Patroness, Maria Victoria. Our first night in Trujillo, most of the students and I went to the Capeas at the Plaza de Toros, or the bull ring in town, accompanied by our host brothers and sisters. The event consisted of local teens and adults in the bull ring with one to three…
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…
I have learned many things while being abroad, especially about myself and how I adapt to a new environment. While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, I have realized how independent I really am. Along with how I can be quite outgoing person when I need to be, especially in social situations. I have learned to be a lot more open when meeting people since I have been fairly shy my…
Now that are final weeks of being abroad are approaching, I am able to sit and reflect upon the amazing countries I have been able to explore throughout my time in Europe. In the last two weeks, I have been to three different countries, and one for only twenty-four hours. Having a class excursion to Lisbon, Portugal was such a fun time. We were able to go to their famous…
I have been living in Trujillo for about 2 months now and I can say that I love it here. My day to day life in Trujillo is very different than my life in the States. The culture is different in many ways. Like for example, lunch is around 3 in the afternoon and it is generally the bigger meal of the day where it is eaten with the whole…
