Week of Thurs, June 26 – Sat, June 28, 2025
YAY!!! I arrived in Madrid, Spain this week from Southern California! I had jet lag, but my ability to recovery from it was pretty rapid. The weather is HOT, HOT, HOT. No joke here. I bought only two pants (a pair of black cargo pants and a pair of navy blue yoga pants). Jeans are not ideal for this type of weather (guys, you’ve been warned.)
I checked into the hotel (Best Western Los Condes), located right in the center of Madrid. I took a 2 hour midday nap.
My study abroad group from Napa Valley College went on a guided walking tour on the sights of downtown Madrid. I bought a water bottle, like the other students, in order to stay hydrated amidst the hot weather. After the tour ended, we had a welcome dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant that served tapas, tinto de verano drink, sangria, and other local Spanish dishes. The restaurant was close to the Royal Palace.
After dinner was over, my classmates and I took our time walking back to the hotel. Some of my peers wanted to check out and sightsee the surrounding areas of Central Madrid.
Just a note. It’s still daylight at 9 and 10 PM in Madrid. By 11 PM, the sun starts to set to night.
By the way, my summer semester study abroad in Spain with Napa Valley College through the partnership with Universidad Pontificia De Salamanca runs from June 26- July 19, 2025.
On Sun, June 29, my group and I will be headed to Salamanca via motorcoach bus.
Week of Sun, June 29 – Sat, July 5, 2025
So, I arrived in Salamanca with my group in the afternoon (between 2 and 3 PM). The bus driver dropped us off in front of a bus station. Then, we were assigned to our homestay host parents, who were patiently waiting for us at the station. My host parents’ names were Teresa and Jon. They ushered me to their car, put my suitcase in the trunk, and off we went to their nice condo.
After arriving at the condo, Teresa and Jon showed me my room, and I started unpacking and getting settled.
My host parents made early dinner and brought fruits laid out on a tray. That was my 1st meal.
Later in the day, my host parents and I walked from their condo, to the town square (or “Plaza Mayor” in Spanish). The Plaza Mayor was very pretty and busy. It was bustling with businesses (restaurants, souvenir shops, dessert shops, etc.). My host parents showed me where the best churro shop was in town, and gave me directions on how to get to my school on the first day (Mon).
After the walk, we came back to their home. I showered, and then went to bed to get ready for 1st day of class, which was the next day.
On Mon AM, at around 8 AM, my host parents knocked on my room door and called me to have breakfast. Afterwards, I washed up, got dressed, and prepared to head out the door for Spanish class.
Class starts at 9 AM, and ends at 1 PM, Mon-Fri. Orientation was at 8:45 AM. I left my place at around 8:30 or 8:35 AM. I would later learn the hard way, that my assigned homestay place to school was about 20 min walk, which is quite far. By the time I arrived at the school building, I must have have been about 30-45 min late.
I asked the school Information Desk in my broken and limited Spanish where orientation was at, and they said it was in a classroom on the upper floor. Come to find out, I was met with an empty classroom when I arrived! I was starting to get worried and concerned on missing out on the 1st day’s classroom activities. I went back to Information Desk, said that I was lost, that I was new and it was 1st day of class, and that I didn’t know what to do. Finally, a kind staff member went with me up the elevator, to the 4th floor, and showed me the correct classroom based on my diagnostic exam results (Room 45). I couldn’t have been more thankful for her help.
I met my 1st professor named Loli. I asked her if I missed a lot of the class activities, and she said no. I took a seat, and sat right in front where the professor was standing and giving lecture. An awkward spot to sit, especially when all of the other seats in the room were taken. The number of students was about 10, including me.
During 1st day of class, we did an icebreaker exercise on getting to know one another, and our likes and dislikes. Sitting in a class where everything is taught in Spanish takes getting used to. For me, I felt anxious, nervous, and intimidated. Suddenly, I was scared and fearful on saying the wrong word, phrase, or sentence. Thinking of what to say was the tough part. Nevertheless, I chose to take it in baby steps.
By the way, the class that I was assigned to is a B1 level class (low-intermediate level Spanish class). The 1st half focuses on grammar, and the 2nd half focuses on Spanish conversation. There is a 45 minute break in between. The level of difficulty was beyond my capability to understand and follow along. But nevertheless, I chose to commit to it.
My second professor’s name after break time ended is Maria Jose. She’s knowledgeable, intellectual, and traditional on her lecture approach. Our discussions mostly centered about family life and culture and differences in Spain versus the US, some Spanish literature discussions (a short poem, a short story), among other topics. Her style of teaching was an acquired taste to get used to.
After class ended, I passed through the Plaza Mayor on the way home, had homemade lunch, and then a siesta nap.
Lunch in Spain is usually at around 1 PM. This is because in Spain, people have a late lunch break. They’ll usually go home for lunch, and then have a siesta for about 2-3 hours, before heading back to work at around 4 or 5 PM. This type of setup is less common in the big cities. However, outside of the big cities, this midday lunch and nap lifestyle is still common.
During the summer season in the big cities, there are some stores that will close in the middle of the day for lunch / nap. It’s not surprising nor uncommon for businesses to open their doors late in the day, between 4 and 6 PM.
Dinner is served between 8 and 9 PM. People wait until sunset to make dinner because that’s when it’s the least hot. Eating late dinners is a common part of the meal routine in Spain, partly because of the climate.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Last weekend, my group and I went on a full day trip to Segovia and La Granja organized by the school. The weather was nice and hot as usual. Segovia is famous for the Roman aqueduct to bring water for irrigation and to water the crops in the fields when the Roman Empire was strong and alive.
Segovia is dotted with nice boutique shops and historical landmarks such as the Sephardic Jewish Quarter. We went inside the entrance of the synagogue, now a small Catholic church. There are historical statues and buildings. Along the way, I came across this gorgeous and cute dog that looked like a golden retriever. But a classmate said that the dog is more probably a mixed breed. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but admire how cute the dog was.
We stopped at close to a castle where our tour guide and professor from my school continued to explain about the historical significance of the surrounding areas of Segovia. Below the castle were neighboring homes spread out and fields. I also spotted some churches. Unfortunately, we couldn’t enter the castle because there was an admission fee for entry. But that was ok. At least I was able to enjoy the surrounding scenery of the castle (trees, organized walk paths, statues, fountains, etc.). I sat down with my classmates for late lunch in the shade. Then I walked to the nearest water fountain and got filled my water bottle. We walked back on the path to the bus stop where we landed in Segovia.
We got back on the motorcoach bus, left Segovia, and headed to La Granja. We walked to the grand palace and the lovely surrounding gardens of the palace. Again, we weren’t allow to enter the palace as it wasn’t free. There was another historical building that we were supposed to check out, but again, we couldn’t go in for the same reasons. What a bummer.
When I looked into the Napa Valley College study abroad Salamanca, Spain program, I came in with positive, optimistic, and high expectations. It turned out to be the opposite in a not so good way. However, I did my best to make the best of this weekend group field trip. It is what it is. Our tour guide did give us a brochure on the town of La Granja, which did some good.
We came back to Salamanca from Segovia and La Granja at around 7:30 PM. I walk back to my homestay place, have a short nap, and had dinner afterwards. I didn’t have the energy to do anything else after a full day, and hit the hay.
Week of Sun, July 6 – Thurs, July 10, 2025
Well, we’re in the 2nd week of continued intensive Spanish grammar and conversation classes at the intermediate level. I get more paper handouts from Loli, and the tenses (imperative, subjunctive, past participle, preterite, imperfect preterite, etc.) become increasingly hard to understand and grasp.
My brain is literally fried, and a part of me just wants to give up. Having previously taken Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 back home at Los Angeles City College (LACC), the grammatical concepts don’t come naturally without having to think on the correct tense to use depending on the situation and occasion. I observe the other peers in class, and they’re already able to talk to the professors in normal conversation with occasional gaps on trying to express certain words from English to Spanish.
One of our peers attended a bilingual English- Spanish school as a kid, and she talks at a near-native level. She’s even interpreting for our tour guides in the afternoon and weekend activities, because the tour guides speak limited English. Amazing, and awestruck at the same time. Whereas for me, I have had to rely mostly on quiet listening, and utilizing simple vocabulary words, phrases, and just whatever my brain can gather to string a simple sentence.
My least favorite part of the conversation part of this class is being called on by Maria Jose to contribute to the discussion. All my peers have to contribute to the discussion by the way. I understand that participation is a part of our evaluation and overall grade for this class, but asking for my opinion on a topic that I have little interest in is quite a chore. The conversation topics range from family life in Spain versus the U.S., Spanish literature discusssion (an excerpt from the short story, “No Oyes Ladrar Los Perros”, and a poem titled, “Romance Sonรกmbulo” by the poet, Federico Garcรญa Lorca), etc.
Please don’t get me wrong; I LOVE participating in course lecture discussions, especially when it comes to topics that interest and matter to me the most. However, being able to convey and express yourself in another language where you’re not sure what to say, tongue tied, and scared of saying the wrong thing are by far my biggest internal struggles with conversational language learning.
Thurs, July 10, 2025
DOUBLE YAY!!! This is the end of the 2nd week, and into the weekend! Our school has given us a 3 day holiday break (Fri- Sun) check out other cities and regions in Spain, and elsewhere. I chose to go to Porto, Portugal, which is about 3 hours away from Salamanca by bus. I went with 4 other classmates, making it a group of 5 of us. I chose Porto, as it was close to home, and also to escape the hot weather in Spain.
The main group person for the Porto trip decided that we should leave on Thurs late PM, after class and lunch / siesta time. We agreed with the plan. We got our bus tickets on the Omio app, then booked hostel accomodation for 2 nights (Thurs and Fri night at “The Passenger Hostel”, Porto), coming back to Salamanca on Sat late PM. She said that very few places and stores open on Sundays, and it was just better to come back on Sat instead of Sun.
Our Napa Valley College professors, Kim and Nicole, mentioned of some concert and theater events in Salamanca, for anyone in the group interested in going, from Thurs PM, and into the weekend. There were a fair amount of students taking an “Introduction to Hispanic Cultures” course this summer semester, for which these events would be suitable for students taking this course. I only enrolled in “Second Semeter Spoken Spanish” through Napa Valley specifically to focus on improving my Spanish proficiency skills.
I pack light for the weekend trip, and walk to the Salamanca bus station. I join with the rest of my classmates waiting at the station. The bus leaves at 4:55 PM, and arrives in Porto at 7:30 PM. During the bus ride, we encounter the local and rural scenery of neighboring towns, roundabout streets, and more quaint landscape views. As we approach the Portuguese border, I start seeing more signs and billboards in the Portuguese language.
We arrive in Porto, order an Uber, and head to the hostel. The hostel is inside a train station. Lots of beautiful art painted on the walls and the ceilings inside the train station.
After arriving and checking in at the hostel, I go out to dinner solo. My other classmates decided to get settled and have dinner later. I had Portguese Bacalhau (cod fish) with olives and sliced potatoes for the first time. Very delicious, well made, and very good quality. Bacalhau is Portugal’s most famous dish. Also, Portugal is known as a seafood nation. If you’re a seafood lover and addict, this is the country to be at!
Fri, July 11, 2025
I got up late, washed up, had free breakfast at hostel (cafeteria, top floor), and then started exploring Porto solo by choice. I was a little sick, and I didn’t want to let it affect my other peers. Another classmate also decided to explore Porto solo. I got a recommendation through her to check out the “Livraria Lello”, a.k.a. “The Harry Potter Bookstore”.
I booked a visit for the 10:45 AM screening on the Livaria Lello website, arrive at the bookstore, and stand in line. The weather was cloudy with drizzle. Good thing, the line wasn’t long. As I was walking inside the bookstore, I was met by the BEAUTIFUL interior architecture, and the intricate artwork details of the store. Just majestic and a sight to behold. By the way, some of the movie scenes from the Harry Potter series were filmed in Porto. Also, the bookstore interior design and decoration got its inspiration from the movie.
There were a lot of people inside the bookstore. The bookstore has two floors, the lower floor, and an upper floor. There is a spiral staircase connecting the upper floor. There are books in multiple languages. Automatically, I head to the English language book section towards the back in the upper floor, left hand side. All of the Harry Potter novels are on display. I chose and bought a children’s book (for all ages) for my younger brother as a souvenir gift, which is a post-Harry Potter book to the main Harry Potter books.
After the purchase, I left the bookstore. Then, I started exploring the surrounding areas of Porto by foot. I had lunch at a restaurant called “Mariscar”. I ordered a plate of “Zamburinas Na Chapa” (Seared baby scallops with typical sauce), and a plate of “Spaghetti Nero Do Mar” (Spaghetti with seafood). I was literally in food heaven with all of these GREAT, fresh seafood dishes! When lunch was done, I got some Pastรฉis de nata (Portuguese egg tarts) at Fรกbrica da Nata, a pastry shop. VERY delicious and good. Can’t say more on that.
I visited the Dom Luรญs I Bridge, the landmark of Porto. The bridge has a metro train line that passes through it. As you’re walking across the bridge, you can see the Rio Douro below. Architectural buildings and homes surrounding the bridge give it a Portuguese local charm and character that encompasses the city.
After reaching the end of the bridge, I walked past the local park. It’s hilly and grassy. There were live free concerts at the park hosted by local musicians. People are sitting down and enjoying the good music that’s playing. Then I walked down many stairs, passed by narrow local residential streets, and after many turns, reached down to the other side of the city. There were boutique shops, wine shops, souvenir shops and a fountain. I walked along the sidewalk in the touristy area facing the Rio Douro. There, I soaked in the sights and sounds of the surrounding views of this pretty city.
As I started walking back to the hostel, reaching my walking limit, and started to get tired, I bought 2 Indian-style summer dresses at a souvenir shop. I recalled Nicole, our Napa Valley professor and main leader of the study abroad program, saying that she likes to splurge on a few sundresses in Spain every year while directing the program. Her suggestion was right. I couldn’t resist the temptation of getting a few nice summer dresses while traveling abroad.
I get back to the hostel, just in time for the free pasta dinner at the cafeteria. I signed up just this morning before taking off to explore Porto. I meet up with some of my classmates, who were also there for the free food, and we caught up with one another on how our day went exploring Porto.
After a full day exploring this lovely city, I pack up and start getting ready for bed. I leave Porto back to Salamanca early Sat AM.
Sat, July 12, 2025
Time to go back to Salamanca from Porto after 2 nights here! I got up early, washed up, had breakfast at the hostel, gathered my belongings, did a thorough check around my assigned hostel bed to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind and leave the hostel. I ordered an Uber to pick me up from the hostel and drop me off at the bus station. My bus leaves at 9:30 AM. I arrive on time.
Once inside the bus, I do my best to get as much rest as possible. Halfway through the 3 hour trip, the bus makes a stop at a store. 45 minute lunch break. I get off the bus to go to the restroom, and afterwards, have a light snack while waiting to get back on the bus. I nap some more inside the bus, and arrive in Salamanca at 4:35 PM. As I’m walking back to my homestay place from the bus station, I pass by the “Barrio del Oeste” area (“Barrio of the West” in Spanish). It’s a residential area that is known for featuring murals by local artists. The artwork is surreal and amazing to admire and look at. There’s also small businesses and shops in the area.
The weather is nice and quite sunny on the way back home. Not too hot. By the time I’m home, I greet my homestay parents. They are enjoying their time watching TV in their living room with no lights, and the blinds closed. The whole condo is like this.
During the summer in Spain, people counter the hot weather by lowering and closing the blinds, and lights are off. Also, there is no AC in most places. And the same goes for most of Europe. I just can’t seem to get my head wrapped around as to why AC in Europe is not a common thing compared to the US, especially during a heatwave.
Anyway, I shower, change into light clothing, and then go into siesta mode to beat the heat with the blinds lowered in my room just enough that there is natural lighting to see.
Sun, July 13, 2025
YIKES!!!! I have a scavenger hunt assignment due this Mon, and I still have yet to complete it! Professor Nicole said that it’s due this Mon, but I’m gonna text her on WhatsApp for an extension. Hopefully she doesn’t mind.
I get up in the middle of the day, and the weather is far from pleasant. Nevertheless, I do what has to be done. I get dressed, wash up, and start playing catch up.
I go out, walk to Plaza Mayor, and explore the following places according to the assignment posted from Nicole: the University Cathedral (part of Universidad Pontificia De Salamanca), the Scala Coeli Cathedral Tower (also part of the University Cathedral), and the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea (it’s a garden that is also a cultural landmark of Salamanca). This garden has been associated with some famous Spanish literature works. This garden and park is also famous with couples who want to spend some time together, giving it a romantic and intimate atmosphere and vibe.
I get back for dinner, do some other stuff, and then hit the hay. Time to face and overcome the third and last week of intensive language training like a trooper!
Week of Mon, July 14- Thurs, July 17, 2025
As usual, I get up, get ready, have breakfast at 8 AM, and head to classes. By now, instead of looking forward to coming to class each day, I get the feeling of dread and anxiety. I just feel so underprepared and overwhelmed with adjusting to the classroom and teaching style in such a condensed and short period of time. The longer I sit in class, the more time passes by, and I start to doubt myself what am I doing, and what I’m here for.
I aim and strive to talk like a local, but I keep finding myself struggling to find the words that I want to say out from my head. It’s just easier to sit and listen to my peers and professors talk, despite the fact that I have to comment on a question when getting called on. At this point, I just can’t keep up with the flow and pace of it all anymore. One of our classmates (not from our study abroad program) ended up dropping out of our class. It’s reality, but what can you do? Even though I’m struggling and doing my best to hang in there, I have made the choice to stay to the end, and this is the last week of instruction, so that’s what I will do.
For the grammar class, we’re expected to apply ALL of the tenses (the infinitive, past subjunctive, future, conditional, etc.) from the handout grammar exercises and fill in the blanks so that the sentences make sense and flow well. My brain is cloudy, bogged down, and I’m totally lost, period.
When class ended on Mon, Prof. Nicole comes to our classroom, approaches me, and says that needs a few minutes with me after everyone leaves. She then asks if I was comfortable switching to a lower level class. It’s already obvious and evident that I’m having trouble talking away like the other peers. I replied to Nicole saying that I will stick with the assigned class, as it’s already the last week. Had I known from week 1 of the rigorous and difficulty level of this course, I would have done so already, especially as a non-native Spanish language student.
Also, I was finally able to obtain a copy of the B1 course level syllabus. I had to ask the faculty three times for it. In Spain, faculty disorganization is the name of the game, whereas back in the US, syllabus expectations are distributed at the start of each new semester in the first week. Different way of doing things.
For the remainder of this week, I skip lunch on some days to continue to catch up on finishing up the scavenger hunt assignment. By the way, Nicole did give me an extension on completing the assignment, so I feel relieved.
I was able to successfully uncover the following important places in Salamanca under the hot weather: the frog sitting on top of a skull in front of the lecture building at the University of Salamanca, taking a stroll in the evening on the Roman Bridge, The House of Shells (“La Casa De Las Conchas”) right across from Pontificia University, the boar statue and sculpture at the entrance of the Roman Bridge, the vitor symbols that are decorated throughout Pontificia University, and the University of Salamanca next to the names of PhD graduates who have completed and earned their degrees, the statue of Fray Luis De Leon (he’s a famous literary, theologian, and academic figure in Spanish history and culture) across from the lecture building at the Uni of Salamanca, the statue of Miguel Unamuno (another famous Spanish philosopher, literary figure, and academic), and the lecture hall of Fray Luis De Leon at the Uni.
I finish the assignment, and submit it online through the Canvas student portal. Done.
Fri, July 18, 2025 (last day of class!)
Well, that day has arrived, the final day of class. Turns out that we have a final exam in grammar. On Tues, or Wed of this final week (July 15 or 16), Maria Jose, our conversational Spanish professor, mentioned something about a possible exam. I didn’t give any thought to her announcement, and shrugged it off. I don’t recall from week 1 on a final exam on the last day.
I get caught by surprise. Instead of a day to celebrate on making it through the intense and rigorous course, I’m greeted by Loli (grammar professor), by an exam handout sheet that’s about 3-4 pages long (multiple choice questions, a listening exercise with questions, and a short essay section of about 100 words).
And the the ironic and interesting part? Instead of being given a B1 level (low-intermediate level) final exam, it’s a B2 level (high-intermediate level) final that I’m given. That’s Spain’s university system and way of doing things for you.
I’m unprepared, nervous, and caught dead by surprise. But nevertheless, I sit in the back middle desk, and take the exam. In my head, I’m already going, “No way. I’m going to flunk the exam. There’s just no way around it.”
I take the exam to the best of my ability, turn it in, and go to the cafeteria for the final time during break. My level of brain energy has depleted. At this point, I’m convinced that I bombed the final.
Fortunately, for our study abroad program, we receive two grades: one grade for the course that we enrolled in from Napa Valley College (which in my case was 2nd semester conversational Spanish course), and one grade from Pontificia University. At least I feel relieved knowing that before the program started.
After our last break was over, I braved through the converstional part of the course. Then at around a quarter to 1 PM, my classmates and I, along with Maria Jose, walk downstairs to the room where we walk the stage to receive our certificates for completing our intensive language course. I go through the process, get my certificate, get my photo taken, go back to my seat like everyone else. Then after our graduation ceremony ended, I take a few photos with Loli and Maria Jose for the memories.
I’ll never forget these two instructors. Loli sure loved to tease me and put me on the spot during lecture since week 1. Sure, even though the course was rough, tough, and literally kicked my butt from day 1 to the last day, this study abroad program did serve its purpose and did what I came to Spain for: to practice my Spanish speaking skills and talk to the locals as much as possible, regardless of all the boos boos I make.
And that concludes my blog of my summer learning experience in Spain! Thank you to everyone for reading my blog, and to the future FEA applicants and alumni making history who are contemplating and considering whether to do study abroad or not. Just do it, and go for it! The only person that’s holding back from choosing to do study abroad is YOU. Thank you again!