Beyond the excursions and classroom studies, Proctor en Segovia is shaped by the unscripted moments – Carnaval taking over the Plaza Mayor, a stadium full of Atlético fans cheering in unison after a goal, or a quiet realization at the dinner table with a host family of the fleeting yet enduring nature of the student-host family relationship. In this final post from the Proctor en Segovia Winter 2026 term, six students write about aspects of life in Spain that no syllabus or excursion plan can fully capture – from spontaneous adventures in Spain and breakthroughs in the Spanish language to a final-week climb into a cave overlooking the city that has become their home. Read their reflections and enjoy the photos below!
Carnaval and a 10K
Addison ’26
During one of our first weekends home after being in Sevilla and Tenerife, we were worried it would be a bit less exciting. We were completely wrong in saying this. We learned that a Carnaval was going on this weekend and were really excited when we saw a whole stage being set up right outside of school! The night started normally, passing some time in school, followed by going to get dinner. Once we got outside, we saw a whole parade happening! The parade was insane; people were on stilts, everyone was in costumes, and there were many dancers. After dinner, we saw a concert going on! We didn't know what we were in for until we walked up. We were all enjoying the music despite not being able to understand it very well, then they started playing songs in English that we knew. It was so exciting; we got close to the stage, and the singer actually took my phone and took a picture with us. It was so amazing seeing practically the whole town come together in elaborate outfits to dance and sing to these songs.
Once we had to go home, we all remembered that we were running a 10k the next morning. We all started dreading it slightly after jumping and dancing all night because we were all pretty tired, but we all showed up the next day ready to go. Once again, we were not sure at all what we had got ourselves into. We all believed that it was just a small run. But it seemed like all of Spain had come for this race. We all started this race, many of us with no training, and yes, some parts were unenjoyable, like the many, many uphills we faced. But crossing the finish line, being greeted by our group, and cheering each other on was so fun. After we had all finished the race, we all went back to school to have a nice breakfast together. I could not have anticipated any of this weekend, but it was definitely one of the best yet.
Atlético Match
Aren ’27
At the end of our Saturday trip to Madrid, as we walked up to the stadium to attend the Atlético de Madrid vs. Espanyol evening soccer match, the energy was electric. The fans were yelling, the floor felt like it was shaking, and I wasn’t even inside. The whole group bought matching scarves and we proceeded quickly up the stairs, hoping not to miss the first pass. Once inside, the crowd erupted even louder when Atlético Madrid ran onto the field. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. This event mattered to me because it enlightened me on how much soccer was woven into Spanish culture. Thousands of people were sharing the joy, anger, and sadness that come with the sport of soccer, and anyone could see that, to them, this was more than a simple soccer game. The fans of each team had a shared passion, and it gave me a look into the other side of the Spain experience, one that a mountain or classroom could not. I felt immersed in the emotions and culture, participating in any and all cheering, feeling more at home and acquainted with one of the term’s main questions: “What does it mean to be Spanish?” I was reminded that being here is more than classroom learning and sightseeing; it’s about creating memories and embracing this culture in any way possible.
Siempre Viva - The Host Family Connection
Sophie ’26
For Valentine’s Day, I bought some pretty flowers for my host mom, and judging by how excited she was, I chose well.
The next day at lunch, I noticed that Angela had put the flowers in a vase on our dining room table. To my confusion, I noticed that the vase had no water in it. Over the next few days, I kept thinking about it, debating whether or not I should say something.
Finally, after lunch one afternoon, I decided to mention that the flowers might need some water. I was very surprised by her answer. She went on to explain that this specific type of flower is called “Siempre Viva,” which translates to “always alive.” These flowers not only don’t require water, but they don’t die. Angela continued by saying that in a year or so from now, she will be able to look at these flowers and think of me.
If I had never said anything, I would have never known that these flowers would serve as a long-lasting reminder of me long after I leave Spain. That moment truly made it settle in for me that my time in Spain is almost over. I love Angela as if I have known her forever. Ever since the first day, when she told me that her home is my home, and I have felt that to be true. Even through the language barrier between us, there has never been a time when we have felt less connected. Somehow, we can understand each other, even when words are few. When I leave Spain, I'll take these experiences with me, and the Siempre Viva flowers will remain on the table as a reminder of my time here.
A Spanish Breakthrough
Pippa ’27
The part of our excursion to Toledo and Madrid that stuck out to me the most was, surprisingly, not the beautiful architecture or the competitive soccer game. It was being in busy, bustling places and being able to understand people’s conversations around me. Before coming here, my listening skills were not good at all. I would have to see the words written on paper, or hear them spoken very slowly and clearly, and even then, I would only be able to translate a very small portion of what was said. However, sitting on the Metro and being able to decipher what people around me were saying was a huge landmark in my progress. Understanding the different tenses and preterites of Spanish has immensely helped my understanding of sentence structure and the language in general. While we were walking through the streets and in the cafes, I could discern basic everyday conversations and pick up on many phrases.
I have also noticed it in my host family’s home, when they are talking to each other at a rapid-fire pace, I can pick up on key words and phrases and follow the conversation. I can confidently order food or ask questions to people in public, often without stuttering or doubting my words. Although the cities of Toledo and Madrid have beautiful and monumental sites, my own progress in the Spanish language was what stuck out to me the most!
Mount Teide Reflections
Aren ’27
This past weekend, we went to Tenerife, and I can confidently say that I have never been to a place like it. It was beautiful, full of palm trees, dragon trees, and rolling hills. Being there was the perfect reset I needed after the past few weeks of rain. While there, my group and I made the best of our trip by filling our days with learning and adventures, plus finding time to make a few home cooked meals. One moment on our third day that stuck out to me was when we visited Mount Teide in the center of Tenerife.
After parking and eating our bocadillos, we were allowed to go explore for a little before we set off on our actual hike. Pippa and I set off into the valley between these huge boulders following a dirt path absolutely in awe of our surroundings. Just wandering and taking in the scenery, I was able to notice how small I was in the best way. This mattered because it put into perspective how much bigger the world is than me and my worries or mistakes. At that moment I started to slow down and allow myself to observe these volcanic creations, and finally felt fulfilled in my Spain experience. I reminisced on why I chose to come and study in Spain and recalled that it was not just for classroom learning. By immersing myself in a place that was different from my normal, I have been able to learn more about myself and how I choose to view the world. Through this, I have come to value feeling changed by this unfamiliar environment and lifestyle, and I plan to bring the lessons I learned into the rest of my life.
On Homesickness and Appreciation
Gus ’27
On a weekend earlier this term, we went to Toledo for one night and Madrid on Saturday, for the Atlético Madrid soccer game, which was such a great time. Saturday morning, we woke up, and our first stop was the Alcázar of Toledo. Before we visited Toledo, we had been learning about the Alcazar of Toledo and its significance in the Spanish Civil War, so I had a good amount of background knowledge, which made me even more excited to see what the Alcazar would be like. In the past, we have visited many “alcázares” throughout Spain, so I thought this one would be fairly similar. It was not; it was much more of a museum than the others. One thing that really stuck out to me was a car in the museum. This stuck out to me because the car looked very familiar. My family has a small museum in New London, New Hampshire, which has many antique cars as well as many other trinkets. The car in the museum made me think about my family. I am really very excited to see them all again, and I do miss them, but the car in the museum made me miss them a little bit more. The few times throughout the trip I have felt like I was really missing them, I reflect on my time in Segovia, and it makes me realize how many incredible things and how great a time I have had in Segovia so far. This makes me want to focus on all the great things to come rather than missing my family. I have concluded that when I miss my family, I should reflect on my time in Spain and focus on all the great things to come, and as I did this recently, I realized that I am less missing my family and more just very excited to see them again because my time in Spain as been so great and frankly it will be hard to leave but I think I have made the most of my time here and will continue to do so.
A Walk to a Cave Near Segovia
Aren ’27
This past week was our last full week in Spain, a moment that made me reflect on everything that was about to close. Everything I have learned about myself, the language, and the culture stood as a reminder that 8 of the 9 weeks here have passed. On Wednesday, Derek and Shelby took my group and me to a cave. With no other information, Derek excitedly explained to us that this was a “dangerous cave” and that we should wear closed-toed shoes so that we could scale a cliff.
Once we reached the cliff, we were stunned by the realization that Derek’s warning was a reality, and we were on the side of a mountain. Below us, there was a cliff, and carefully we made our way to a rock formation that resembled a staircase that led us up to the cave entrance. Once up in this enormous cave, I was able to see all of Segovia: the beautiful landscape, the Cathedral, and the Alcazar. I felt as if I was on top of the world.
This mattered to me because I was able to capture everything in my 9 weeks in Spain, in the palm of my hand. My growth and friendships formed, and the immersion into a new culture took up my whole view. From the cave, Segovia looked small, yet my experience felt massive. I realized that my journey in Spain was shaped by one program, one town, and one group, yet still it felt so substantial.
During the climb, I felt connected to Segovia as I climbed into the landscape and adventured in the rolling hills. I was navigating through these places like streets or trails like a resident. I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and explore the world, even if it was the small town of Segoiva. This adventure made me feel even more part of this Spanish town, immersing myself in the ordinary life of teenagers here, highlighting how life-changing being in Segovia, even for a short time, can be.
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