Keeping Connections I Made Abroad

Hey everyone! I just got home yesterday after a long but unforgettable journey through Italy and Greece with my mom. As much as I loved traveling, I’m so happy to be back in Montana; it was missed very much! I’ve been looking forward to seeing my family again, and I can’t wait to get back to college to reconnect with my friends. Still, even though I missed home, I’ll miss the connections I made abroad just as much. In this blog, I want to share three of the most important connections I made during my time overseas, and I hope future travelers will be inspired to seek out similar experiences.

1. Friends from all over: In my first blog post, I mentioned being nervous about the size of my study abroad group. I expected 20–30 people, but in reality, there were only 7 in June and 8 in July. That smaller size turned out to be a gift. I was able to form one-on-one connections with everyone, and without the big-group cliques or drama, we all became close. Exploring Spain with such an amazing group made every experience richer. (See the gallery for some of my favorite group shots!) Beyond my program classmates, I also made friends with locals. I met two Spanish girls who invited me to dinner. They wanted to practice English, so we decided to switch languages; me speaking Spanish while they spoke English. It was a fun and sometimes hilarious way to learn. I also met a friend named Diego, who became especially important to my experience. He was the one who encouraged me to visit Vigo and even joined me on a trip to Madrid, showing me his favorite spots there. One night, we went to Kapital, a famous Madrid nightclub popular with tourists. It might not have been his usual scene, but we ended up having an incredible time. Saying goodbye to all of my new friends, both international and local, was bittersweet, but I’m determined to visit them again someday.

2. An unexpected host family: One afternoon, a woman approached me outside the IES Abroad Center. She was looking for someone to help her daughter practice English. Since I already volunteer with a child back home in Montana, I knew I’d be a good fit. Twice a week, I took the bus to their home, where I spoke English with her daughter for an hour and then switched to Spanish for about half an hour so I could practice too. Her father, a professor and researcher at the University of Salamanca, was another wonderful connection. Since I hope to move back to Salamanca in a couple of years, having a family there who knows me is both comforting and valuable for networking. This chance meeting truly became one of the highlights of my summer.

3. The IES Abroad Salamanca staff: Finally, I have to give a heartfelt thank-you to the IES Salamanca staff. Lucía, David, Paula, María, Bárbara, and all of my professors went above and beyond to support us, whether it was answering questions, guiding us through cultural differences, or just offering a friendly face when we needed it. Looking back, I know my experience wouldn’t have been nearly as incredible without their help and kindness.

    

Looking back: I wouldn’t trade my summer with IES Abroad Salamanca for anything. The friendships, the cultural exchange, the support—it’s all priceless. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I can’t recommend IES Abroad Salamanca enough. You’ll gain so much more than just travel memories; you’ll build connections that last a lifetime.

As this is my last blog post, I want to thank everyone who’s followed along. I hope my stories have been helpful, inspiring, and maybe even sparked your own travel dreams. 

Ciao for now!