In the past month, Salamanca has been the medieval paradise of my dreams with its lopsided cathedrals and bustling streets. By now I can walk around the city without relying on Google Maps, something that seemed completely out of the question my first week here.

I still walk around in awe at the beauty of the city, but now I feel like I can call Salamanca my home away from home. I can hardly believe that I am finally here in Spain and that in just three months I’ll be back at the hilltop.

Before we arrived in Spain, AIFS—the program I’m studying with—first took us to London, England. I walked around the Kensington Gardens, had some fish and chips, and explored Winston Churchill’s underground war rooms. Unfortunately, Big Ben was under construction, but I was nevertheless thrilled to see the famous landmarks that I’ve only read about in textbooks or seen in films.

London disappeared completely from my mind as soon as we touched down in Madrid and hopped on the bus to Salamanca. The ride wasn’t long; and as we passed through the mountains, I was both nervous and excited about my next four months here. However, when the Tormes river finally came into view, I knew that I had chosen the right university for my study abroad experience.

From Monday until Thursday, I have classes such as Latin American literature, Spanish Culture, and Translation. When I’m not in class, I’m either exploring the city with friends or having a café con leche in the plaza.

The Plaza Mayor is always bustling with people. Whether they be locals or tourists, people gather around the terrazas for a merienda or tapas. Eating outside at a table—each restaurant in the plaza has its own terraza of tables—may cost more, but the atmosphere is worth it, especially when the weather is beautiful.

The Plaza was built in a baroque style and has a series of medallions that feature important figures in Spanish history. The ones that I’ve noticed so far are Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, and Miguel de Unamuno, who was a rector at the University of Salamanca.

This year the university celebrates its 800th anniversary. I wasn’t surprised to hear that the university dates all the way back to the early 1200s. The buildings, streets, and even some of the shops make me feel like I’m walking around in medieval times.

One thing I’ve learned is that travelling in Europe is much easier than in the States. You can take a train or a bus just about anywhere. A few weekends ago, I took a bus ride to Bilbao, which is along the northern coast in the Basque country. We spent the weekend exploring the Casco Viejo and admiring the modern art in the Guggenheim.

Our first day there, my friends and I went to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which is an islet off the coast of Biscay. We climbed 241 steps to the top of the islet, where I rang the bell of the San Juan Chapel and felt the cool ocean breeze on my skin. I even saw a few peregrinos who were walking El Camino de Santiago.

If you ever find yourself in Spain, I would highly recommend that you stop in Bilbao. The Basque country is truly a magical place to visit.

After a month in Salamanca, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I had several reservations about studying abroad, mostly because I had never done anything even remotely like this. However, the support system I have back at the hilltop, especially in the Modern Languages Department, encouraged me to take that giant leap into the unknown.

There have been moments where I’ve missed home more than I should, but so far I don’t have a single regret about my decision to study in Salamanca. I can only hope that the next three months will be just as memorable.