09/05/2026
Meet Global Ambassador Caroline Scott who studied in Santander, Spain at Universidad de Cantabria!
"My time in Santander has been incredible. I have been living with a host family, and I have loved learning about their lives, sharing meals with them, spending days outside the city together, and practicing my Spanish every day at home. I came to Santander hoping to speak more fluently, but I never imagined I would leave feeling like I had gained a second family and such a meaningful understanding of Spanish culture.
Thoughts about coursework:
-SPN 328C Introduction to Literatures and Cultures through the University of Cantabria. We have explored the rich history of Spain, as well as our wonderful city of Santander. As someone who loves to learn, it has been amazing to study Roman, Gothic, and Muslim architecture in class and later traveling to cities across Spain recognizing these styles with my classmates firsthand.
-SPN 367C Spanish for Medical Professions with a UT professor. We have studied medical Spanish vocabulary while discussing cultural differences in healthcare settings/how they can affect patient care. We have practiced how Spanish grammar applies in medical interpreting activities. Both classes have greatly enriched both my experience studying abroad and my education at UT.
Living with a host family added a whole other dimension to studying abroad. It gave me an honest view of what everyday life is like for a family living in Santander. I could not recommend this part of studying abroad enough, it made all the difference in my experience and is truly the best way to experience immersion. One conversation that stood out was with my host sister, Claudia, where we discussed the differences between medical education in Spain and the U.S., sharing our experiences and perspectives as aspiring doctors.
Highlights have included:
-Traveling to Salamanca, León, Barcelona, and Madrid
-Celebrating the World Cup win
-Tasting Spanish cuisine
-Creating a lifelong connection with my host family
-Bonding with a unique group of UT students and practicing my Spanish daily.
I am incredibly grateful for this experience and for everyone who made it so special. This experience is one I will never forget!"
College of Natural Sciences, UT Austin, ut_neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts - University of Texas at Austin, Department of Spanish and Portuguese at The University of Texas at Austin
