By Lily Z, Teen Summer Language Camp Spain-Salamanca Summer 2025
Greenheart Travel believes that travel changes us for the better. It challenges us and gives us more insight and mutual understanding. That’s why, every year, Greenheart Travel offers First Time Traveler scholarships so that more people have the opportunity to travel. We recently heard from Lily who received a scholarship to Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp in Spain. Keep reading to hear about what she learned during her time in Spain!
I signed up to Study Abroad with the intention of learning.
Prior to leaving, whenever people asked if I was nervous that I wouldn’t get along with my host family or I wouldn’t make friends, I simply shrugged. I decided when I sent in my application that even if I didn’t make any lifelong friends, at least I’d come out of my trip having learned something. That something being Spanish.
Even the day before I left, as I spent my last day of school being hounded by my Spanish teachers about if I was excited to see certain locations, I didn’t really have an answer. I was only really looking towards my goal of improving my Spanish and everything else was just whatever to me.
Now, I do think that is an okay mindset to have but it left me all the more surprised when I learned a little more than just Spanish. I learned about myself.
Go With the Flow
Through life, I’ve forced myself to be a very “go with the flow” type of person. If a plan gets canceled I’ve taught myself to just shrug it off and move on with my life. Before I left for Spain, I didn’t expect to have any problem adjusting and being okay with whatever happened.
Then I dealt with airports.
From the get go, I was surprised by certain things, like having to hang around the Madrid Airport with our Spanish guide and another American teenager for hours so we could catch our connecting bus. It wasn’t really what I had envisioned loosely in my head, but I just enjoyed taking in a non-American airport. I tried out the bathroom and observed the differences between European and American bathrooms. I bought food and enjoyed my first taste of Spanish ham. I talked with our guide about Spanish life. My first hours in Spain might’ve been spent sitting in a crowded airport, but I did my best to enjoy it.
The same thing was true for classes.
I had expected the classes to be structured a bit differently and at first I was a little disappointed. But after a day of being annoyed, I just went with it and learned as much as I could in the time I had.
Travel pushed me to be more comfortable in many situations and to adjust my mindset. Even though I’d gone into it with little expectations, there were still things that surprised my preconceived image of studying abroad.
Traveling also taught me to put your expectations aside and take the opportunities you have. Go with the flow with whatever you’re doing and make the best out of it. It was through doing this that I had some of my most fun moments in Spain.
Taking Your Time
The program I completed was very filled with lessons and activities every day except for Sunday. For three weeks straight I was rushing around, trying to learn and experience everything I possibly could. But that mentality of rushing doesn’t do well in a country like Spain where the people take time in their day to relax and slow down. It was hard to get used to, but I started to love my mid-day siestas and taking walks to a cafe just to have some down time.
Back home, I’ve found more enjoyment in mundane tasks like prepping my lunch, picking out my outfit, and even cleaning my room.
While abroad, you are living a different life in a different place. You have limited personal time and space. I had a roommate for my entire time in Spain so my alone time was very limited. This made me value my few minutes in the bathroom each morning and night so much more. Getting dressed, putting on my makeup and sunscreen, choosing jewelry – it was all so much more fun and exciting. Now back home, I wear earrings, bracelets, rings, and makeup nearly everyday. Where I used to loathe having to pick out clothes, I now find it fun and like a “me time” activity.
Connecting With Others
As I said before, I went into my trip being prepared for the fact that I may not make any friends. And I was okay with that. I hoped to get opportunities to speak to people in Spanish but I was okay if I did that without companionship.
This mindset left me entirely stunned when on my first night, three Italian girls from my homestay invited me to la Plaza Mayor. I hadn’t even unpacked my suitcase and I was off at 9 o’clock at night to explore the city with three girls I’d met just half an hour ago.
I quickly found that I was going to make a lot more connections than I’d thought. I became very close with a girl in my classes and in my homestay. We eventually became roommates and I was spending every moment of my day with her. I was doing everything I had envisioned (cafe visits, walking, exploring museums) but with a friend. I’ve been home three weeks now and she and I still talk constantly. It’s as if we never left our bedroom overlooking the birds and all of Salamanca.
In addition to kids my age, I grew close with my teachers. One teacher in particular was my favorite to talk to because she always answered my litany of questions. The day before I left I asked for her number and without hesitating or asking anything she gave it to me. Now I text her whenever I have questions about the Spanish language.
However, the most shocking…
I found myself missing random people in my life. I obviously missed my dog but I also missed my grandparents. One day, I decided to call my Nana and we chatted for nearly an hour. We’ve never texted much and neither have we ever called, but it was really nice.
Since coming home, I’ve been seeking more connection with the people in my life. From friends I’m used to seeing every day at school to people I didn’t talk to as much. Travel taught me that connection will be found even when you don’t search for it. It also showed me how much I care for the people in my life and to take advantage of every opportunity that I have with them.
Thank you, Lily for sharing these great insights!
Ready to have your own adventure abroad? Click on these links to learn more about Greenheart’s Teen Summer Language programs and scholarship opportunities!
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