The ECI experience is one I will never forget. It was certainly a life-changing journey and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study and live in Spain. This program enriched my study of Spanish, the language and culture. I got to experience living in a real Spanish family, and using my Spanish for every day life.

My favorite part of this trip was the two-week home stay in Salamanca where I took classes and participated in typical Spanish activities. My most memorable activity was watching the bull fight, because this is such a common Spanish tradition, and we were so lucky to have a close up demonstration.

We traveled with three amazing chaperones, Jenny, Monica, and Clara who took great care of us. The staff of this trip was extremely dedicated and all worked very hard to put together great programs.

I would recommend this program to students at all levels of Spanish, because everyone will improve their knowledge considerably throughout this experience. Not only will you meet new people from all over and visit some of the most important historical monuments in history, but you will also really get a feel for the language, country, and people of Spain.

Alex Brownstein, Spain Scholarship Winner 2007

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to travel to Spain along with one of the ECI programs this summer. It was a thrilling, eye-opening experience that I wouldn’t trade in for the world. Spending a month immersed in another language and culture only made me more certain that I will be studying abroad in my future.

I am so grateful to be awarded the scholarship. I intend to apply all of my knowledge of the Spanish language and culture in my AP Spanish class as a part of my Model UN squad.

Sarah Bufkin, Spain Scholarship Winner 2007

I had no idea what to expect as I watched San Francisco grow smaller and smaller through the plexi-glass of Air France. Almost 13 hours later Toulousain cobblestone lay under my feet and I stepped into the adventure of a lifetime.

ECI’s scholarship not only gave me an opportunity indescribable in a single paragraph, but showed me another side of the world; an entirely different culture and a beautiful country home to everything from Parisian lights to Mediterranean beaches, discotheques at night to ancient cathedrals and castles, sidewalk cafes to newly formed friends.

I landed back home with an open mind, knowing that despite cultural differences and language barriers, I was able to reach out by practicing French, living with my host sister, and better understanding the French way of life.

Traveling abroad not only taught me about another culture, but also gave me freedom – a break from home – in addition to independence, and responsibility.

If you seek spontaneous adventure in addition to a structured program, self-fulfillment, cultural enrichment, or a refreshing foreign perspective, ECI is the program for you.

Martina McLarty, France Scholarship Winner 2007