From wandering cobblestone streets beneath ancient aqueducts to sharing meals and daily life with host families, Proctor students in Segovia are discovering a city rich with history and culture.
In this collection of reflections, they explore the magic of the Old Quarter, the energy of Plaza Mayor, and the rhythms of Spanish school days, capturing how living in a new culture deepens their appreciation for history, encourages reflection on daily routines and cultural norms, and fosters growth through firsthand experiences of place and community. Read reflections from Quinn ’26, Freya ’26, Holden ’27, and Colin ’27 below!
Quinn ’26 - History and Place: Segovia’s Old Quarter
Walking through the streets of Segovia is like walking through a time machine to ancient Rome. The architecture is absolutely stunning. From the main streets to the tiny alleyways, it feels like I’m in a movie. The main route from the aqueduct to the school gives an almost Harry Potter-esque vibe. The tight street is usually packed with people and really reminds me of the mythical place called “Diagon Alley.” There are shops and food spots scattered throughout the street. About halfway from the aqueduct to the school, there is an old library. It's a beautiful building and the architecture is magnificent. Walking past historical sites like the aqueduct is mind-boggling.
The aqueduct was built in the first century A.D. by the Romans. It stands at about 93.5 feet tall at its highest point and 2,338 feet long. It has 167 masterly crafted arches that are a technological wonder. It's crazy to think that those arches have supported the weight of the Aqueduct for centuries. The craziest part to me is that I get to walk under it every day on my way to school. Segovia is my home for the nearly the next two months, and I couldn’t be more excited to be fully immersed in the culture and life here.
Freya ’26
How has physically walking through the streets and historical sites of Segovia deepened your connection to the past in a way that reading about it in a textbook couldn't?
I walk through the same streets every morning on my way to school. The halfway mark of my mile walk is the Aqueduct, a manmade structure that used to carry water from the mountains to the town of Segovia. When looking at pictures of the Aqueduct online, you can barely grasp how it might look in person. At first, it looked mediocre to me, but that was until I saw it in person. It towers over the old town of Segovia and pulls in bunches of tourists like a magnet. You can see it peaking through the buildings, and it carries a serene glow. Since I walk past the Aqueduct multiple times every day, I’ve been able to see its features and learn about its history up close, which has been very helpful in connecting with the past.
Understanding historical contexts becomes much more engaging when you have immediate access to the right resources, like physical examples of history. I believe that textbooks often lack the personal connection that students need to fully understand historical events, and they’re boring! Having physical materials available allows us to form our own opinions and explore history with our own connections. Being able to see the Aqueduct daily is super personable, and it feels lively. Each time I walk by the Aqueduct, I appreciate it a little more.
Holden ’27
Describe a typical school day in Segovia in this program. How do you feel that it reflects both the culture of Spain and the United States?
A typical school day in Segovia for me starts at 8:00 in the morning. I wake up and then have breakfast with my host family before heading to school. I have about a twenty minute walk from my house to the Plaza Mayor. I walk through the narrow streets of Segovia on the way to the Aqueduct then from there it's an all uphill walk to the school. We begin classes at 9:15 a.m., have Spanish history, then Spanish, and end with literature. School ends at 2:00 p.m., and I then walk back to my house for lunch with my host family.
Everything in Segovia shuts down for lunch. It's a very significant part of the culture, many shops close and the streets are dead. Lunch is my favorite meal of the day, and my host dad and I sit in the dining room watching the Spanish equivalent of Wheel of Fortune, and he gets pretty into it. Afternoon activities don't begin until 4:30, so I usually hang out with my host family or take a siesta.
Depending on the day, I either have a metal workshop class or go to the gym. By the time I finish at the gym, it's time for study hall from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. I get home around 9, eat dinner, and then usually go to bed. The days in Spain are much more spread out and relaxed compared to a typical school day in America. Spanish culture is more focused on enjoying the moment and not worrying about time, although the American way is very fast-paced and oriented toward a goal. Unlike in the United States, where people often rush to finish lunch or get from one place to another, I find myself with more free time.
Colin ’27 - History and Place: Segovia’s Plaza Mayor
One street or plaza in Segovia that I love is Plaza Mayor. This is the middle of Segovia, and it is also where the school is located. I come here several times a day, whether that is for school, food, or going for a walk. My first time visiting Plaza Mayor was with my host dad when he walked me to school on the first day I arrived in Segovia. I thought that it was cool that there is a defined center of the city, which is good for meeting people and a fun place to hang around. During school, there is always some sort of music or protest going on outside; it is never boring. I will admit it does get a little annoying. Another cool part of Plaza Mayor is that the Cathedral looks over it and is right there, making it a very pretty spot. One of the first nights we had to ourselves, we went to a dinner place called José. It was the first time that I saw the cathedral lit up at night. There are tons of restaurants that are around the Plaza, one of my favorites being a pizza place that I have gone to a couple of times. The cathedral has a large tower that you can see from basically any part of Segovia, which acts as a pinpoint to how far I am from the Plaza/school.
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