Case Study: Salamanca, Spain 2025-2026
I had the opportunity to study at the University of Salamanca in Spain during my year abroad, and I had a fantastic experience that taught me so much about the Spanish language and culture. Looking back on the past year, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to improve my Spanish and experience day to day life in another country.
When I was first deciding where to spend my year abroad, I was slightly hesitant to choose Salamanca, as the region of Castile and León is relatively isolated compared to other parts of Spain. However, this turned out to be one of the greatest advantages of studying here. Since Salamanca is not a particularly touristy city, there is little English used in everyday life, and people in shops and cafes are always happy to speak Spanish rather than immediately switching to English, which I have experienced in bigger cities. This created the perfect environment for improving my language skills and confidence in speaking Spanish.
I would highly recommend Salamanca as the city is small enough to get to know it well, but it still offers a wide variety of events and cultural experiences. Throughout the year there were free concerts in the Plaza Mayor to celebrate important events and during bank holidays the city centre filled with vendors and festivities. I also enjoyed the community spirit in local traditions such as Lunes de Aguas and celebrations for Castile and León Day, which gave me the opportunity to experience aspects of Spanish culture that I might not have found elsewhere.
One of the highlights of my year abroad was the opportunity to travel. A particular highlight was travelling to Granada to visit the Alhambra, where I learned about the city’s history and cultural heritage. Another memorable trip was travelling to the north coast of Spain and visiting San Sebastián, where I was able to learn more about Basque culture and was able to compare the different cultures I had experienced in various parts of the country.
In terms of academics, the University of Salamanca was very different from the UK, as it had much more focus on continuous assessments throughout the semester and group work, with less emphasis on writing a long final essay or taking an exam. Although I found the group work challenging at times, it was a great opportunity to talk to native speakers and improve my language skills.
Overall, my year in Salamanca has allowed me to improve my Spanish ability as well as develop a much deeper understanding of Spanish history, culture and daily life. I am grateful for the support of the John Speak Trust, which allowed me to take advantage of so many opportunities during my time abroad and visit places I otherwise would not have been able to. The monthly reports have given me the chance to reflect on my experiences and receive feedback that helped me continue improving my Spanish. I would like to thank the John Speak Trust for its support, which has played an important role in making my year abroad such a rewarding and memorable experience.