"Salamanca - My Favorite Spanish City " a Salamanca Travel Page by fairy_dust

I have been to Spain twice, to take summer courses in Spanish at the University of Salamanca. My first trip to Salamanca was in June 2002 (for 3 weeks), and my second trip was in July 2003 (for a month). I was there with my Spanish professor from my home university (she helped to organize the trip) and other students from my university and a few from other universities involved with the study program.

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In the courtyard of an old building

Discoveries and Experiences - Both Trips

My first trip to Salamanca in June 2002 was mainly about discovering Spain. Since it was my first time in Salamanca, everything there was new to me, and I uncovered new things as I went along. The joy and excitement of discovering a new place and culture was absolutely amazing, and I loved every minute of it. Everything I experienced, even the simplest things made the whole trip amazing.

Loving Salamanca so much, I just had to go back. So I joined my prof's group again with brand new people, and planned to return in July 2003. But I remember being afraid that I since I had already been to Salamanca, that the excitement of discovering the city would be gone and I would have a "been there done that" type of experience. I was wrong. Soon after arriving in Salamanca, I realized that I still had much to discover, and much more to experience. This time around, since I knew the city better, I felt more independent and free, and I was able to do and enjoy more things than I had before. I ended up with another amazing experience that I will never forget.

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1st trip to Salamanca - AJ, Kristy, me, and Linda

I long to be in Salamanca again...

I adore Salamanca, it's one of my favorite places. I long to be there again, learning Sevillanas and Flamenco dance on the stage of the Edificio Juan de Enzima, having a glass of sangria at a cafe on a pedestrian street, swooning over the tunas in the Plaza Mayor, and going out partying at the discos. Even now, I'm still suffering from "Spain withdrawal". I definitely want to return someday.

I couldn't go back this year because I needed to keep my summer job (I hate it when the "necessary" things prevent me from doing what I love...), but something I am thinking of doing in the future (maybe after university graduation) is going back to take a semester or two at the University of Salamanca. I love the Spanish courses I took while there, and I would love to continue to improve my Spanish at the U of Salamanca. I love how the courses are more relaxed, and how the program encourages and creates opportunities for students to experience the culture in Spain. I definitely recommend the Spanish language program at the University of Salamanca to anyone who wants to learn or improve their Spanish. It's not only an academic experience, it's a cultural one too.

Viva Espana!