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Lauren's Reflection

I came to Spain with so many goals and things I wanted to do, and looking back at the trip I really accomplished everything that I hoped I would.  I learned so much about Spanish culture not only from the class we took at the University but because I lived it for two weeks.  I got to experience what it's really like to live in Spain while also studying there and learning the language better.  My skills have improved so much in Spanish.  I used to never want to talk in Spanish because I thought my accent and pronunciation were off and I made so many mistakes and couldn't always say what I wanted to say, but now I feel comfortable enough that I spoke to someone in Spanish here that didn't speak English well.  Even though I learned so much in Spain, it didn't feel like a school trip.  We were given freedom to explore Salamanca and see places that the school didn't take us to which I really appreciated even though I enjoyed the school trips.  I'm so glad I...
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Lauren's Video

https://youtu.be/qH5U00t25nw
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Rachel's Reflection

This trip to Spain was the best learning opportunity I have ever had, and I enjoyed the two weeks a lot. It felt weird in the beginning because I had never been so far away from my family for such a long time, but I got used to the distance since I could call them everyday. When I was preparing for the trip, I was worried I would have trouble communicating in Spanish because I didn't have much experience outside of school. However, although I didn't know many words, I found it easy to speak with my host family and even with people in public. Next, I had never seen pictures of Spain before I arrived, so I didn't have any ideas about what it would look like. Salamanca was similar to the image I had in my head, but Madrid was vastly different since it was more of a big city than a small town. I didn't have a lot of ideas or stereotypes before, so I was not surprised by anything, but since we discussed it a lot in the meetings, I was expecting a lot of crime and pickpocket...
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Allie's Reflection

Being able to go on this once in a lifetime trip to Spain was an absolutely amazing experience! After coming home I have thought about all of the wonderful new things I have seen and done. It is so special that we had the opportunity to stay with a host family that taught us about Spanish culture. I miss my host mother Marta and I enjoyed getting to know her, her family and her wonderful hometown of Salamanca! Furthermore, being able to study at one of the oldest univierities in the world with top notch professors is, within itself, a FABULOUS opportunity that not many people would ever be able to participate in. The evening activities planned by API were so fun and truly helped explain Spanish culture. Also, paying one euro for speaking English, even though annoying and frustrating at times, helped my Spanish so much. By going on this trip, I have also made wonderful new friendships with my fellow Ursuline sisters and we will never forget our wonderful time in Spain together! Overall,...
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Clara's Video

https://youtu.be/RK0HcEbWUZ0
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Jordan's Reflection

Upon returning from our fantastic trip to Spain, I have had plenty of time to reflect upon my experiences abroad. This trip was truly an unforgettable and lifechanging experience for me. I grew as a student and as an individual. I learned how to get by in an unfamiliar environment and how to overcome obstacles such as illness without my family to guide me. My experiences in Spain are especially important to me as I enter my senior year at Ursuline and prepare for college. This opportunity to study at a university and be independent was a great way to prepare myself for the years to come. My time in Spain also awoke within me a love for the Spanish language that I didn't know I had. I learned more Spanish outside of the classroom than in it. Each conversation with my host family, a clerk in a store, or  a person on the street giving directions helped me improve my Spanish ability. Even though I sometimes complained about not being allowed to speak English, I am proud of myself f...
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Clara's Reflection

     This was a truly incredible trip. Not only did I learn so much about Salamanca and Spanish culture, but I experienced a new way of living in another country.       I have always wanted to study abroad, but I never thought it would be as enriching as it was during this trip. I was immersed in the language wherever I went. I happily found that I was able to interact with my host mother, teachers, friends, and vendors in Spanish and that I improved greatly over the duration of the trip. The best part about taking classes in Spain was that I would go to school, learn about Spanish idioms or cultural practices, and then go home or to a store and put them to use within an hour afterward. It excited me that everything I was learning was so applicable to my life, to an extent it had not been in Dallas.       Living in Spain proved to me that I am capable of thriving in a new and different environment. I am so grateful for the years of Spa...
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