By Polina Terakyan
When we think of a perfect Study Abroad Program, we imagine a welcoming community, engaging classes, new friendships, and of course field trips. The students from Endicott College, our main campus in Boston (MA), get to experience it all.
Ana Sánchez, one of the team members of the student services department at CIS University, explained that the trips students go on throughout the academic year perfectly align with their ‘Spain Past and Present’ course. In this class, students learn about Spanish culture and travel to the places to see them in person.
After each trip, students prepare presentations to demonstrate the learned material. Sharleny Gonzalez Lopez, a study abroad student from the US says, “Not only do we learn it in class, but we also get to go to see it in person. Making it more special because you already know the history behind it and acknowledge the importance of it.”
Students visited many unique locations this fall semester and learned a lot about Spanish culture. They went on a field trip to Segovia and Valencia, where the students got to stay over one night and do a lot of sightseeing, such as seeing the cathedrals, churches, and parks.
The study-abroad students appreciated the experiences they gained on these field trips. Sharleny shared that on her trip to Valencia, she had tapas for the first time. She felt very lucky to experience all the history and culture in these unique places. “We went the weekend before and I went back the next weekend because I liked it so much. Especially the beach, the Mediterranean Sea is my favorite”, she said.
The university’s study abroad students also visited El Escorial, where they got to see one of the most important architectural monuments of the Spanish Renaissance. They also went to Toledo, a city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history and remarkable sightseeing spots. In the south of the Iberian Peninsula, students traveled to the cities of Seville and Granada in beautiful Andalusia, where they spent a total of four days. They visited the monuments of the Islamic Al-Andalus such as the Alhambra, the Max Moreau Museum and the Royal Chapel of Granada. In Seville, they attended a flamenco show, visited an ancient cathedral rooftop, and indulged in some traditional Andalusian cuisine.
At CIS University we hope that all these experiences will be part of your education and your best memories while studying in Spain!
