Category: Summer Session

Submitted by Emily Mateja on the 2025 Summer program in Howth, Ireland…

I have been in Ireland for two weeks now, staying at Trinity College Dublin, as part of the Summer HIST/POSC Ireland study abroad. The city shocks me, not only for its walkability, but also its accessibility to day trips in many beautiful places nearby. This weekend was no different, as we would be spending Saturday in Howth.

Howth is a little shipyard town, packed with docks and seafood restaurants. Large boats, used for fishing and cargo, dotted the inlet, a sight that I was always drawn to. Yet, the boats and the sea were not why we were there.

We were there for the summit.

After a bus ride through the small town, climbing up steep hills, we reached the top of the summit. Our professor told us to go explore the trails for a couple of hours, after giving a short history of the town. What set before us, winding steep paths down towards the water along the cliffs. Howth was sometimes referred to as the baby cliffs of moher, and I understood why, it was a breathtaking natural beauty.

As he hiked our way down, we found ourselves in constantly changing weather conditions. At one moment, the sun would be out and it would be hot, but in the blink of an eye, a little shower would pass through. The brush along the trails was high, reaching to at least our hips. Yet the views, the cascading hills that formed the cliffs, were straight out of a movie. It was beautiful.

Howth gave me more than just a postcard view to enjoy on a saturday. It taught me that history, and learning about it, is more than just what happens in the classroom and to noblemen. It reminded me that history lives in the land, and the people that walk it. (Submitted July 23, 2025)

Submitted by Hailey Galbraith on the 2025 Summer program in Granada, Spain…

I was so excited for this weekend, and it certainly didn’t disappoint! One of the reasons I chose Spain of all the study abroad programs was specifically so I could see the beautiful country that my friends Ade and Carlos had described to me while they were interning abroad the US. I was such an incredible experience to spend the weekend with natives of the city, who were kind enough to give me a personal tour!
When we first arrived in Madrid off the metro, I had to hustle to meet up with my friend Carlos, who I was staying with for the weekend! He showed me his beautiful apartment, which was originally the home of famous Spanish poet and author Miguel de Cervantes! I think that its so insane that in Spain, that living with this history is not at all uncommon. My friends recently graduated with degrees in Interior Design from the University of Madrid, so I feel incredibly lucky to have such marvelous tour guides for this weekend.
After we met up, we quickly made our way back to the subway station to meet up with Guillermo, Ade, and Victoria, our other friends before we went on our trip.
Speaking with the four of them that Saturday made be realize how much I had been missing out on as far as exploring the country and learning Spanish by really only speaking with my English friends. I love my host mom, but the ease in which I could form basic sentences and the excitement I felt to be included in their conversations with each other, but also locals was so different. The first place we went to was Cercedilla, where they introduced me to “authentic” Spanish cuisine; croquetas, tareta de carne, y huevos.
After, we visited the Palacio Real de Riofrio, which was simply gorgeous. According to Guillermo, the palace was never finished. I was originally built in the 1700s but was never inhabited until Francisco de Asis in the 1850s. It was then redecorated in the 1960s, much of which remains in the palace to this day.
The next day, we had some hours before my bus left, so Carlos and I walked around the city. First, we went to a local panaderia called Levadura Madre. We each got a croissant, and this mini chocolate covered flaky pastry. They were delicious and we ate them on a bench outside of the congress building of Madrid.
Before checking out the Sunday Market, we walked by the opera house and the official Palacio Real, which was enormous and extremely beautiful. Nearby, there was a musician, playing Viva la Vida on his Violin for the tourists and visitors. The views were stunning, but what interested me more was Carlos’s discussions on the Royal family. He says that he likes the current royal family, as they are more modest and closer to regular people than previous rulers. This came back to me on Wednesday’s class, where the profesora explained that the concept of a royal family is weaning in Spain and that she predicts that there will not be many more generations crowned after this one.
The last thing I did in Madrid was to visit the Sunday Market. Extremely busy and bustling, there was everything from snacks to clothes to antiques. I found some adorable souvenirs and gifts for my friends and family, and it was so fun to be among so many people. Everyone was so nice, and I was even able to buy a very cool belt for my brother. The booth was so cute and as soon as I brought the belt over to purchase, the owner of the booth lit up! He was so sweet and so excited to explain he crafted all the belts himself and even had newspaper clippings of his workshop hung all around. It was such an interesting experience, I have never been to a flea market that large before, and apparently, they have them every Sunday! (Submitted July 3, 2025)

Submitted by Hailey Galbraith on the 2025 Summer program in Granada, Spain…

Our first Wednesday here in Granada, our tour guide Ignacio guided us through the Albayzin quarter, introducing us to the beautiful architecture and some of the rich history behind it. Ignacio, or Nacho, explained that Granada holds the only true castle in Spain, combining both military defense purposes with royal residence and the culture and art that accompanies. While there are many other fortresses across Spain, apparently this is the only one that truly classifies as a castle. Alhambra is a beautiful blend of Muslim architecture and Christian influence, reflective of Spain’s unique cultural history.
One of my favorite things about ancient cities, but especially Granada, is the continuity. Granada is a living city and as an American, my view of Spain prior was beautiful, but stagnant and old. But of course, Granada has people in it who live in the present. Street art and graffiti reflects that, as my perspective shifted from a violation of a significant cultural place, to a manifestation of how the modern people express themselves and influence the world around them, much like the many inhabitants before them.
While touring the city, Nacho took a moment to explain to us a situation of increasing concern in Granada, but Albayzin especially, of gentrification. A complex relationship between tourists and locals, losing balance and pushing family generations out in place of Air BnBs and apartments. This housing crisis of sorts, or at least a budding one, deeply resonates with me as an American.
With every year, less and less Americans are able to buy homes due to the rising prices of homes and apartments without the match in wages. While this may not necessarily be for the same reason, the result is the same. I feel a sort of sorrow and affinity for the younger generations, experiencing a displacement from their family history. (Submitted July 3, 2025).

Submitted by Hailey Galbraithon the 2025 Summer program in Granada, Spain…

Wednesday, our professors allowed us to leave class early in order to witness the pagan festival, celebrating the legend of Tarasca. There was singing and music and hundreds of people gathering in the streets to see the lively parade. I love the legend of the Tarasca, I think it’s one of the more compelling myths of human nature, where hatred and ignorance can blind diplomacy and good faith. I loved that even the locals seemed to be excited for the parade, dressing up and stepping onto their balconies to watch, even though they get to see it every year. I think that is a bit of a cultural divide. Americans are obsessed with efficiency and newness. We tend to hold the attitude of “on to the next”, which I feel isn’t as strong here. It was lovely to be part of, I really enjoyed this.
Additionally, the late-night festival was such a wonderful experience. I love amusement parks, but mostly just being around people in general. I had such a great time, even on the packed metro and dizzying rides, the lights and excitement cast an infectious glow over the area. We ended up leaving around 2:30, but people were still arriving when we were just leaving! If I am lucky enough to come again, I would like to stay longer.
Then there was the Corpus Christi festival. I was actually pleasantly surprised with this religious festival; I wasn’t necessarily expecting a boring march, but nonetheless, I was unexpectedly pleased to be part of this crowd. Though I didn’t know the words, hearing the crowd join in to whatever songs or chants was so interesting. Rather than a stuffy, strictly traditional event, the parade seemed dedicated to honoring the people as well as their god. I wasn’t expecting that, and I feel that’s just another way Granada is so good about honoring their history in a way that still moves forward. I feel that often times in America, we struggle to find that balance and I hope to take these lessons with me back overseas. (Submitted July 3, 2025).

Submitted by Tiffany Nurse on the 2024 Summer BUAD program in Paris, France… 

To start off my trip, I had a bit of a rough time. My first flight was cancelled but I ended up on a later flight to London. However, when I got to London, I ended up stuck in the airport for 5 hours. Finally when I was able to arrive in Belgium, I was able to head to dinner with the rest of the people in my program and it started some of the greatest bonds I think I could ever have. We walked around the Grand Plaza. The first week was more focused on getting adjusted and getting to know the area. We did a tour of the campus we were working with and made plans to hang out as a group. (Submitted July 18, 2024)

Submitted by Isabella Bates on the 2024 Summer Visual Communications program in London, England…

Today, my friends and I visited Big Ben during our day off in London. Having only seen the iconic clock from a distance before, we were thrilled to finally see the tower up close! As soon as we emerged from the tube station and walked up the steps, Big Ben gleamed in the sunlight, leaving us in awe. I was completely suprised by its beauty in person, and we couldn’t have chosen a better day for our visit. The sun was shining, and the streets were bustling with Londoners enjoying the summer weather. After spending some time near the tower, we explored the surrounding area, including the historic buildings of Parliament. Every structure in London is steeped in history, and the intricate architecture left us fascinated. I’m excited to see what the rest of our trip will bring! (Submitted July 7, 2024)

Submitted by Meghan Rydell on the 2024 Summer SPAN Intermediate program in Granada, Spain…

As someone who loves cooking and baking, I was delighted to attend a cooking class this week! We made four dishes: gazpacho (a cold tomato soup), chicken paella, vegetable paella, and a fruit salad. I was surprised by the simplicity of most of the recipes; granted that quite a bit of ingredients were required for the paella (spices and vegetables wise), I could easily see myself replicating these recipes in my kitchen at home. One thing I love about the food in Spain in general is the freshness of the food. When making the gazpacho, for example, the vegetables were ripe, the olive oil was locally sourced, and the bread I had dipped the finished product in was from a local bakery down the street. It tasted so much better because the ingredients were organic. Throughout the class, it was evident that our cooking professor, Annabel, saw cooking as a love language, a common theme I have experienced around Granada, especially with my host mom. I loved the atmosphere of the class and that cooking was not necessarily about how the food tasted (though it was excellent) but about the process of using what you have around you (in terms of vegetables and spices that are native to the climate), trying new flavors, and having fun! I was horrible at identifying the different olive oils and their unique features, but I had yet to learn there was a proper way to eat the bread sample and that there were so many different types of olive oil. Additionally, I loved our dance party between cooking and our olive oil tasting, which made the kitchen even more lively. Overall, I had so much fun trying new foods and practicing my cooking skills and vocabulary while spending quality time with an incredible group of people! I will definitely make paella for my family and incorporate my appreciation for locally sourced fresh ingredients when I return to the States! (Summitted June 2, 2024)

Submitted by Meghan Rydell on the 2024 Summer SPAN Intermediate program in Granada, Spain…

One of my favorite things about Spain so far is the music, which ripples through the narrow streets of Granada. Some afternoons, I take walks to explore parts of the city, and at every turn, I see a guitar or violin player performing palos of Flamenco music. I truly realized the prominence of musicians in Granada when walking through the Plaza de las Pasiegas and shops near the Royal Chapel where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are buried. At the beginning of my walk, I ad put my headphones in, but when I saw the first guitar player, I took them out to listen and realized the music of the city was constant, and better than anything I was listening to! There were at least four or five performers whose music echoed through the streets and filled them with rhythmic, passionate songs. In U.S. cities like New York, you often see street performers, but there is something so raw and authentic about the music in Granada. To the artists, playing is about more than just receiving a few pennies or trying to get discovered. Performances are not about using the crowd to advance the art; they are about telling a story of culture, which includes love, triumph, loss, and grief, all within a string of notes and chords. Besides the fact that every musician was so skilled in their ability to play their instruments, the passion of the performance was visible. On a simple walk, I felt the artist’s emotions as the music died down from exciting peaks to quiet solace. (Submitted June 14, 2024)

Submitted by Lana Negron on the 2024 Summer SPAN program in Granada …

Today (June 2nd, 2024), was my first full day in Granada, Spain. We started the day with a walking tour of the city, which is filled with vibrancy, religion, and an extensive history. I took notice of all the important historical buildings with such beautiful and antique architecture. Most of the streets are lined with orange trees which is such a cool and rare sight to see. In the morning, the cool air helps swift the citrus smell of the fruit throughout the streets. My host parents, Agustin and Maria, and their daughter, Maria, have been extremely welcoming and have introduced my roommate and me to many of the different aspects of their culture like food and history. It has been fascinating to speak with all of them. I have learned so much about Spain so far and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the month has in store! (Submitted on June 2, 2024)