Rate my Professor: IES Abroad Salamanca Edition

Stressed about deciding on which classes to take this semester? Wishing you knew what to expect on your first day? Fear not! Here are the five classes I took while abroad, and all the information you’ll need to decide whether these are the right picks for you. 

*These were the classes and professors available for the Spring 2026 semester. 

1. Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I with Maribel Andrés Llamero (Monday – Friday, 9:15 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.)

This is one of the three options for the required Spanish language and grammar class. This is the middle level, with one section above and one section below. You will take a placement test (written and oral) to determine which class you will be in. This class is all about Spanish grammar (yes, you will have to relearn the difference between por and para, no I still can’t explain it). You will not be allowed to speak any English from the minute you step into the classroom, but this will be for your benefit, because your Spanish speaking abilities will improve SO much. Maribel is a fantastic professor and is a lot of fun to learn from. The work is manageable—you’ll have one reading and one writing exercise each week (you’ll have to write about 250-300 words), one essay, one presentation on your essay, a midterm and a final (both with written and oral parts). Every once and while you’ll have an extra assignment due, but it's nothing too crazy. 

2. Psychology of Disability: A Closer Look at Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with Silvia Huelmo (Monday and Wednesday, 3:40 P.M. – 5:10 P.M.)

This class taught me so much about the experience of people with disabilities in Spain and the world. This class is taught in English and is super interesting and starts the semester with a historical perspective on the experience of disabled people as related to forced sterilizations. Then, the course moves into examining the causes of intellectual and developmental disabilities to learning about the lives of people with disabilities. Silvia is such a great professor, a PhD student, and extremely passionate about the topic. She cares so much about this topic, and it shows! You’ll have a midterm and final in this class, a research paper, a presentation on your research, and weekly (short) activities due on Sundays. The work is manageable, and the content is engaging. If this topic piques your interest, I recommend this class! 

3. Comparative Religion: Tracing the Path of the Spanish Soul with José Ramón (Monday and Wednesday, 5:20 P.M. – 6:50 P.M.)

This class is so interesting. This class is taught in Spanish and starts with an extremely historical perspective, going all the way back to the paleolithic era. You will start by studying what religion meant to them, and then move into the religions we know today including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. José Ramón is a really fun professor, who absolutely loves teaching this topic. The concepts taught in this class can be complex, especially when taught in Spanish, but José Ramón always answered questions clearly, and often repeated himself to ensure that we understood. You’ll have a midterm essay, final essay, and about four or five short presentations on the topics we learn about throughout the semester. If you enjoy learning about the history of religions and comparing the belief systems of different religions, this class is for you!  

4. Spanish Film Noir and Social Reality with Pablo Calvo (Tuesday and Thursday, 12:10 P.M. – 1:55 P.M.)

This class is so much fun. The basic structure is that every Tuesday you’ll watch a film, and on Thursdays you’ll discuss it. This class is about analyzing Spanish noir films. Each one will be completely in Spanish, often with Spanish subtitles (but if you beg Pablo, he’ll find English subtitles). If you enjoy movies with gangsters, crime, corrupt police, and questionable female representation, this class is for you!  You’ll write an introductory essay, midterm and final essay, another essay where you analyze a movie you watch on your own, and a presentation on that movie. Pablo is so clearly passionate about film and has experience working in the industry. You’ll learn a lot about how film operated under Franco with censorship laws and analyze the treatment and representation of women in these films. This is definitely a class for cinephiles who want to expand their taste. 

5. Migration in Europe: Living in the Borderlands with Elena Gil (Tuesday and Thursday, 3:40 P.M. – 5:10 P.M.)

This class changed my entire worldview. This class is taught in English. As a Psychology major, I don’t get to take many international studies courses, and this class filled that gap perfectly. I have learned so much about migration, EU laws, the treatment of migrants, social movements, and the world in general from this class. If you are super interested in international studies, migration, political and social theories, and everything in that realm, I highly recommend you take this class. Elena is an expert in the field and comes to the class with so much passion and empathy for the experiences of migrants. You will have three essays in this class and one presentation: one midterm, one final, one research paper on a topic of your choice, and a presentation on that paper. This is definitely a content heavy class, so be prepared to take a lot of notes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I loved this class and learned SO much. 

One last thing—don’t expect classes to be super easy because you’re abroad. I once thought the same…and was proved very wrong. These professors expect the same of you as your college professors. If you manage your time well, you should be able to balance the demands of each of your classes. But, prepare for a few late nights spent finishing up an assignment so that you can enjoy your upcoming trip without the stress of work.