Proctor en Segovia: Diving Into Life in Spain

Proctor en Segovia students are settling into life in Spain, and the first week and a half of the term was absolutely jam-packed with activity. Students have been bonding with host families over fútbol, exploring the grounds of the 18th-century La Granja royal palace and gardens, analyzing works by Bosch, Velázquez, and Goya at the Museo del Prado, creating metal engravings with Jesús, and training with a local soccer team. This group is diving headfirst into life, fully immersed in Spanish culture and language. Check out eclectic reflections below on: the homestay experience (Koga '26), excursions to Madrid (Nico '26) and La Granja (Penelope '26 and Addison '26), soccer training with a local team (Alessandro '26 and Gus '27), and Metal Arts class with Jesús (Sophie '26 and Pippa '27)!

The Segovia Homestay Experience

Koga ’26

Being in a homestay with a local Spanish family deeply shaped my study abroad experience in a way that living in a dorm never could. As a Japanese student studying abroad in the U.S. and now in Spain, I realized how different the cultural immersion can feel depending on where and how you live. In the homestay, I am exposed to everyday Spanish life such as family meals, daily routines, and natural conversations, which has already helped me improve my language skills and gain a better understanding of the cultural values. While dorm life is within the school community and offers its own opportunities for interaction, it creates a different kind of experience that is often more independent and student-centered. 

One memorable part of the homestay experience so far has been watching soccer games on TV with my host family and talking with them about the matches, teams, and players. These moments helped me feel included and made it easier to connect with them naturally. Living with a host family allowed me to connect more closely with local customs and perspectives, making my time studying abroad in Spain meaningful and memorable. 

Local Excursion - La Granja

From @proctorsegovia

We had our first successful day excursion to La Granja de San Ildefonso today! Just 20 minutes away by bus, we feel lucky to have this beautiful royal palace essentially in our backyard. First we had a mini history lesson about the significance of the building, and the Borbón dynasty overall, then we meandered through the gardens all the way to the lake and back. Muchísimas gracias a nuestras familias por los bocadillos (A huge thank you to our host families for the sandwiches - on baguette-style bread).

Penelope ’26

Even though it was a sort of rainy and cold day, and the trees didn't have many leaves on them, it was still very beautiful. We were there for a couple of hours, and got the chance to see most of the fountains, the pond, the lake, the labyrinth, and the palace. We were walking around all day, and I could've stayed for even longer. I was having so much fun walking around the grounds, talking to everyone in the group, and admiring the beauty of the “farm.” We also learned that it was designed to resemble the palace of Versailles in France because it was designed by a Bourbon king missing home. 

I especially enjoyed the bodies of water that were scattered around the property, like the big lake with a lagoon-like cave, a waterfall, and the snowy mountains in the background, which added extra beauty to the landscape. I appreciated this lake because it looked just like the pond at my grandmother's house growing up, where my cousins, sister and I would sail little sailboats in, feed ducks, and test our toy boats’ floating ability. With these memories, I was picturing the kids in that era doing the same in that lake, and the parents enjoying it too. 

Addison ’26

Once we went in, we saw the beauty of the palace and gardens. The 26 fountains in the gardens are what really stood out to me. My favorite fountain was the Diana fountain. It's huge! The back wall is covered in shells, and surrounding it are copper-looking people who spit out water when the fountain is turned on. The fountains are only turned on a couple of times a year because they were built over 300 years ago, with a gravity system that supplies pressurized water. The water comes from the local mountains, so it is not fair to have them on all the time. We learned that people would say they could see the water from towns away because it shoots so high. This was one way they would demonstrate their wealth because water was a privilege.

We played games, talked, took pictures, and just really enjoyed each other's company. It was one of our first days together, so we all really got quality time together. Even after spending the whole day together, we all went out to dinner and spent the night walking around Segovia, getting to know the city and each other!

El Museo del Prado (The Prado Museum)

From @proctorsegovia

Yesterday we took a day trip to Madrid to visit El Prado. Upon arriving, students had an activity where they scanned QR codes to short videos explaining four of the most iconic paintings in the museum, and then were asked to analyze the paintings now knowing more information. Student responses were incredible (Global Art Classroom would be proud!). History, literature, and art are all interwoven; yesterday we had the opportunity to experience that directly.

Nico ’26

One moment that truly changed my perspective on this trip was when we went to Madrid, a city steeped in history and full of interesting things to do. First, we went to the Prado Museum, where we participated in a scavenger hunt for some absolutely breathtaking works, pieces dating back hundreds of years that transcend time. We analyzed Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Velázquez’s Las Meninas, and three paintings from Goya: Saturn Devouring His Son, The 2nd of May, and The 3rd of May. This experience allowed me to work as a team with my teammates to find the various Easter eggs hidden within the artworks.

After the museum visit, Shelby and Mike gave us a few hours of free time. We let the girls go shopping while we guys went to a café for a few hours, enjoying delicious Spanish cuisine and chatting about anything and everything. These wonderful moments allowed me to learn more about my fellow countrymen with whom I will be spending most of my time for the next six weeks. I really loved Madrid, and I think it brought us all closer together.

Afternoon Activity - Metal Arts Class

Sophie ’26

After school on Thursday, four other students and I spent two hours in the metal shop, which is right near our school. Jesús wasted no time in putting us right to work! Although he doesn’t speak perfect English, we were able to communicate in a mix of Spanish and English. Our first project is to create a metal engraving of different historical buildings in Segovia: Plaza Mayor, the Aqueduct, and the Cathedral. They are all put together into one piece in the shape of a circle. I got to add personal touches such as my initials and some hearts. 

We played music and ate candy while we worked on something so foreign to us. We had to trace the design onto a thin metal slab with a tiny tool. We then had to go over it multiple times for the engravings to be deep enough. It was extremely intricate and required a lot of focus to get every single detail. Anytime I felt finished, Jesús would say, “You’re never finished! Keep going,” and so I did keep going until my hand nearly fell off from cramping so much. By the end of these two hours I could not believe how much I had gotten done. All the little mistakes that I had made along the way could hardly be seen anymore and made my piece unique. 

Pippa ’27

On campus, I usually reach for painting, textiles, or ceramics, and I never really understood the beauty of working with metal. This made me skeptical of how the class would go, and I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the previous art classes I had taken. Before the class, I associated metalworking with rigidity and technical precision. I soon learned that metal can be just as expressive and creative as painting or ceramics. Metal class made me understand the importance of an optimistic open mind, and the experience reminded me that growth comes from places that are initially out of your comfort zone. 

I am also greatly looking forward to having one or two finished pieces by the end of the term. 

“These finished pieces will not only serve as souvenirs, but as reminders of the value of openness, and trying something new. Metal has become more than just an afternoon activity; it has shifted how I view both art and myself as an artist. I now approach unfamiliar mediums with greater confidence and appreciation, knowing that creativity can emerge in unexpected places.”
~ Pippa '27

El Fútbol

Alessandro ’26

This Thursday, Nico, Gus, and I went to a practice of a Segovia Soccer Academy team and it was great. For me, I was excited to see the skillset of the players but also to play because I hadn't played in a couple weeks against other players. The cold and rainy weather in which we played reminded me of back home in Canada where I would have late night practices with my club team. We started the practice by warming up and running some laps which is the same we did back home, and then we proceeded to do a possession-based drill where there are two teams and they are trying to keep the ball from the other. After that, it was a little scrimmage and it was a great feeling to be able to play freely in a new country with no pressure. The fast pace European style of play was exactly how it is in my home town where there are very good players and everything goes so fast. 

This moment stuck out to me because we were in an unknown territory and felt free. From the moment we hopped on the bus to the hot shower after the practice, everything felt to me like I was at home. For me, nothing beats a good training session after a long day of class and having fun doing the thing you love. In general, the possession-focused passing, intelligent play, and integration of fútbol into daily life reflects Spanish culture.

Gus ’26

I was definitely a little nervous, as I had not played soccer in a while, and playing in Spain, there is definitely a language barrier which did complicate things, but I was able to do just fine.  After training, I was thinking to myself what a unique and special opportunity I had to be invited to train with this club. This opportunity will continue to be a common occurrence in my Segovia experience. I think this was really special for me because I was doing something I love to do back home, but in a different country, and learning while I played. I also enjoyed the different style of play and the players' attitudes. Everybody who was playing really seemed to be enjoying their time on the field. This phenomenon is hard to achieve. This team was playing very competitively while still enjoying themselves, laughing, and having a good time. 

I think my time on the field speaks to my overall experience in Spain so far, as I have felt really at home at a place so far away from my family, which truly makes me realize what a special opportunity I have.

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