Proctor en Segovia: If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Back home after a term abroad in Segovia, Spain, several Proctor students reflect on their nine-week immersive study abroad experience where they lived with local families and studied Spanish language and culture, history, and literature. Their letters, written to future students and past selves, share insights about adapting to Spanish life, from overcoming language barriers to embracing the culture's slower pace and eventually finding a sense of home abroad in an initially unfamiliar place.

Shelby Wiscan - Proctor en Segovia Co-Director, English Faculty

This piece allowed students to reflect on how they've learned and grown throughout the semester in Segovia, particularly comparing it to their expectations beforehand. They were intended to be letters to their past selves, but some students took the creative liberty to address future Proctor en Segovia students! The purpose was to analyze themselves, critique their experiences, and, especially, to reflect on their growth. Throughout the semester, we have discussed the audience and message. Who is the audience? What is your message? The implication is to adapt how you say what you want to share (your message) in a way that your audience will find accessible and relevant.

My “Introduction to Spanish Culture through Literature and Film” course explores Spanish culture through literature and film, covering works from the Golden Age through contemporary times, with an emphasis on how they reflect Spanish identity and cultural perspectives. The curriculum combines traditional literary analysis (including works like Don Quixote and Blood Wedding) with experiential learning through journaling, film reviews, and cultural immersion activities. Though it isn't a writing course, we've developed our creative nonfiction writing skills on this journey through Segovia!

Carly ’26

You are now trying to picture what living in Segovia will be like while standing on the brink of this new journey. You've packed (and repacked) your bags, studied away on Duolingo, and read all the Segovia guides. You want to be prepared for anything, and I assure you that there is a great deal of excitement waiting. Before you leave, though, there are a few things I've learned that might be helpful.
 
Let's start by discussing nerves. You're not the only one who feels nervous -- therefore, it's so normal. Segovia is more than just a remote, mystical location. Even though you have no idea how it will feel at this point, it will eventually feel like home. I understand the feelings of nervousness and worry about how your future will play out, but trust me, you will not have any regrets. You won't believe how quickly the people you meet, the winding streets, and the historic structures from centuries before will begin to feel familiar. It is crazy how fast you can get to know a place. What about the language? In just a few weeks, you'll learn far more than you ever could have thought possible. Be kind to yourself; even if you don't realize it at first, you're learning something new every day.

I want you to keep one thing in mind: don't stress over doing things "right." Give yourself time to unwind, whether it means juggling a busy schedule or attempting to speak perfect Spanish. People in Spain take their time and genuinely enjoy every part of life, which is generally slower paced. Take your time to sit down and have conversations while enjoying your lunch. Allow yourself to become disoriented and explore a city without a set destination. When you let go of your worries and just go with the flow, you'll create some of your best memories.

So keep in mind that you are more brave than you realize. Take in every moment, embrace the process, and allow yourself to make a few mistakes. Before you realize it, you'll be returning with confidence and memories you never would have imagined making. Future Proctor en Segovia student, you've got this. Segovia will be here waiting, ready to welcome you and host some of the most amazing months of your life.

Piper ’26

Looking back, I remember how eager I was to dive into the Spanish culture and spend two months in Spain. I had no idea what was coming, but if I knew then what I know now, there are so many things I wish I understood before I stepped foot in this beautiful country. Back before I
started my trip to Proctor en Segovia, I believed that I would never speak a word of English for two months and that my host family and I would never be able to communicate with each other.

When Karine was giving my group the first introduction to Proctor en Segovia, she spoke a lot about culture shock and how it is going to be hard to adjust and that you have to "push through." Over the month of August before Spain, I was super excited but also incredibly nervous for the two months ahead of me. I believed that adapting to the new culture would be overwhelming and scary, while also being away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings was going to be tough.

One of the first lessons I learned in Spain was that not everything I had to do was urgent. I realized that in Spain, people value slow-paced mornings and siestas after lunch. At first, with a mind of ADHD, I was agitated by afternoon siestas and had nothing to do, but once I adapted, I found peace in a slower pace of life. While I thought homesickness would hit me super hard and with an 8-hour time difference from home, I would never be able to talk to my family; fortunately, this was not the case, and I got the chance to talk to them at least twice a day! Once I
I started to adapt to living with my amazing host mom, Julia, and began to get super close with my group. It started to feel like my family was here in Segovia.

Before going on long vacations or trips, I like to plan out every detail and every place I go. Since I used to love knowing exactly how my day would go, adjusting to this "living life on the edge" was challenging. But Proctor en Segovia taught me that the best experiences are often unplanned. So, if I could go back and know then what I know now, my advice to myself would be to be open-minded but also savor every single moment because you wouldn't believe how fast the two short months go by.

Winn ’26

Looking back on my summer before Spain, I always think back to a specific thing I could have done to better prepare myself for studying abroad: I would make a much greater effort to practice Spanish over the summer. I came to Spain remembering very little Spanish but eventually pulled myself together. Looking back, it would have helped to prepare a little bit beforehand.
 
Another aspect I would have done differently would have been to ask more people who had been on Proctor en Segovia what I should know or prepare for. You should try to get a good idea of what you do and don't need while also learning a little bit about Segovia or the teachers. The afternoon activities are also a great factor to know about in advance because you'll end up spending a lot of time doing whatever you choose.

 
Lastly, if you have the opportunity to do so, you should also stay after with your parents. After spending eight weeks in Spain, there will be places you still want to see and activities you still want to do. You might as well see them while you're already over here!
 
Doing these before and after your trip will help you enjoy this opportunity even more. Being better prepared will help you jump right into the classes and not get blindsided by the more advanced Spanish, and knowing more about Segovia beforehand will also make it easier to make it your home for the time you're here.

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