Proctor en Segovia students have completed their winter term abroad, returning home with expanded worldviews, vastly improved Spanish language proficiency, an appreciation for the kindness of others in a small Spanish city an ocean away from home, and countless memories. As their nine-week journey came to a close, they took a moment to reflect on their experiences living with host families, immersing themselves in Spanish history, culture, literature, and language, navigating the cobblestone streets of Segovia, and exploring the diverse regions of Spain. What began as uncertainty for many evolved into deep appreciation, connection with host families, teachers, and their peers, and a newfound confidence in their ability to persevere through challenge. Read more below from all members of the Winter 2025 Proctor en Segovia group!
Aaron '26 - The Spanish Experience
When I saw the email saying I got accepted into the Winter Spain group, I was ecstatic. I've never traveled outside of North America, so it was a new experience for me. I have a very Hispanic background, with my mom being Dominican and my dad being Colombian. I've been learning about Spain and its culture since middle school. It intrigued me how the Spanish were different from what I'm accustomed to - the food and traditions like the Spanish lottery. So, coming to Spain, I hoped I could immerse myself in the culture, improve my Spanish speaking skills, and have personal growth. I think I achieved all of the goals I set for myself. This trip will forever be a part of me, and I don't want to forget it. Read more about Aaron's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Molly '25 - Final Thoughts
The past two months living in Segovia have been an extraordinary experience. Immersing myself in a new culture and stepping out of my comfort zone has made me grow in new ways. From exploring new cities to strengthening my Spanish skills, every moment of this trip has been unforgettable. Going on excursions and traveling throughout the country, I got to see the beauty, history, and diversity of Spain's Regions. Beyond the places we visited, one of the most important parts of this trip was the connections and bonds I built with the people. Spain and its culture have left an impact on me and taught me many valuable lessons. Read more about Molly's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Maddie '25
As I soak up my last 3 days, I reflect on my adventures here in Spain. Traveling from El País Vasco to Andalucía, these last two months have shown me what experimental learning truly is. I will miss going to get my hot coffee at Granier and spending my Spanish class laughing with our teacher María. Through all of the wonderful people I have met, my classmates that I grew closer with, and my host family with whom I ate a lot of meals. I felt so grateful to be a part of an amazing community of such supportive people. It will be a hard goodbye to leave this historical city I have called home for two months. I am grateful, though, to bring back my knowledge, stories, and experiences to my life in the USA. Segovia will forever have a special place in my heart, and I hope to come back in the future and reminisce on the fond memories I shared in this place!
Layk '26
At first, I had zero interest in even applying for an off-campus experience. My dad practically made me do the application. I had zero interest in leaving home for so long, especially during ski season. Nevertheless, I did the application and I was accepted. Over time, I realized how incredible this experience has been. Now, as I'm writing these final words, that day feels like a lifetime ago. This bedroom that felt so foreign those first few days has become just like my one at home. The streets that I once feared getting lost in, I could now tell you how to get anywhere you need to go. I think I've become an expert in public transportation and the empanada store knows me way too well. Needless to say, Segovia, in the past two months, has become a home away from home. At times, I have hated this place, but mostly, I have felt love and appreciation for it. I will miss my time in Spanish class not because of my love for the language but because Maria Jose is the greatest Spanish teacher I've ever had. Her way of teaching may not be for everyone, but it really was for me. I have learned more Spanish from her in two months than in the past three years. I am forever grateful that she showed me so much love and was able to deal with our class for these past nine weeks. I've also grown closer with multiple people in our group, some of whom I never thought I would be close with. We've shared memories and fun times that I will remember forever. Read more about Layk's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Amena '26
Proctor en Segovia has been an unforgettable experience. I must admit, when I first arrived, I had doubts about Spain. My knowledge of the country was limited to flamenco, paella, Catholicism, colonialism, and speaking with a lisp. Nonetheless, I was bound by an unshakeable resolve to become fluent in the Spanish language, and was determined to extract all that I could from this incredible opportunity. As I expected, my preconceptions began to crumble as soon as I arrived through our excursions throughout Spain. Learning about the immense regional diversity made me appreciate what makes Spain such a complicated and fascinating place to study. In reality, after trying diligently, I have found that Spain cannot be defined. Throughout its tumultuous history, Spain has had the unique tendency to rapidly change and evolve to forms unrecognizable to those previous, and it seems that the Spanish people have their own exception to each of their rules. In Andalucia, we did attend a flamenco show, eat tapas, and hear people speaking with a lisp, but we also visited the Basque Country and got to witness firsthand the cultural and linguistic impetus behind their desire for independence. Along the way, I had the honor to get to know my host parents, Miguel and Cruz, who never fail to teach me a new Spanish saying and call me their "hija española." Truly, I find it hard to imagine this program without their warmth and support. After nine weeks in Spain, I have certainly furthered my goal toward fluency in the Spanish language, but I have also learned and witnessed the contradictions that make Spain unique, opening my eyes to a new, richly diverse culture. Read more about Amena's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Noah '26
The first day in Spain, we were very tired, but the experience of being in Spain for the first time kept me up. Getting out of the airport, I witnessed a magnificent sunrise that felt unreal. The drive from the airport was fascinating and beautiful as I compared the differences in the roads and landscapes to the United States. Once we arrived in Segovia, I had the pleasure of meeting my host mom, Lujan. She is funny, loving, and a fantastic cook. The first couple of days of speaking with her were challenging due to my limited Spanish, but as time went on, communicating with Lujan became easier. I enjoyed every meal with Lujan, and she provided a place where I could be comfortable and be myself. During the times I was not eating with her, I enjoyed trying new restaurants. My favorite food spots are Doner Kebab, El Helado, and Granier. Often, I come to these places to refuel after a workout which is typically Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. My typical schedule is dancing on Tuesdays, metal working on Wednesdays, cooking night on Thursdays, and pottery on Fridays. Occasionally, we go on excursions that last five days when we get to explore Spain. My favorite places were San Sebastían and Córdoba. These places were both warm and full of Spanish history. I have learned so much from these excursions and from my time in Spain. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity.
Maia '25
The past 9 weeks I have spent here in Segovia have been truly unforgettable. In such a short period of time, I have come to feel so comfortable and at home here. I do have to say that my host mom, Julia, has played a major role in that; she has treated me as her daughter from day one. Having a small community of eight other Proctor students here with me has made my experience better, and the bonds that we have formed are incredibly special. I am going to miss my home here in Segovia dearly, but I will always keep the memories close to my heart. Read more about Maia's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Theo '25
As I prepare to leave this country, I look back over the past two months with gratitude. I believe that I have gotten a lot out of this experience in many ways. Living abroad has pushed me outside my routine and made me uncomfortable, and there were times when I was ready to go back to America. I tried my best to stay in the moment and use these tough times to figure out ways to improve my situation. One challenge for me was having to be places on time so as not to miss the bus. This was a daily struggle, but I was able to find success by leaving more time than I normally would in a less hectic city environment. Taking almost three hours of Spanish each day was extremely frustrating, but I pushed through, and my ability has increased exponentially. This trip was a good blend of learning and fun, and the thing I will miss most is my host family, Ana and José Luis. They made their house feel like my second home, and I won't forget their kindness. Many of my favorite moments through this journey happened while traveling across the country with our group. It was a good mix of people -- some I had known before and others I did not, but we ended up having a lot of fun together with lots of jokes flying in all directions. Through both the challenges and fun times, it was nice to have people who were going through the same thing that I was. I am happy I chose to step outside of my "bubble" and feel lucky that I was able to come to such an interesting country and meet some great people along the way. Read more about Theo's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
Jaden '25
I've truly grown to know Segovia as what I would call another home. Starting off, I felt confused about whether I had made the right decision to come to this country. Now that my time here is close to finishing, I know I made the right decision. Read more about Jaden's Proctor en Segovia experience HERE.
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