In this episode of Abroaden Your Horizons, we’re joined by Santa Clara University students Emma Hatfield, a Neuroscience major with Spanish and Biology minors, and Celeste Mancilla, a Political Science and Spanish double major with minors in Urban Education and Latin American Studies. We talk about their semester in Salamanca, Spain, and how choosing a language immersion program made all the difference.

Emma and Celeste share the highs, the hurdles, and the cultural mix-ups that came with diving headfirst into the Spanish language and culture. From classrooms that started to feel like family, to diving deeper into their identities and interests, to surprisingly missing the chaos of airports—they reflect on how their time in Spain stretched their comfort zones in all the best ways.

In this episode of Abroaden Your Horizons, we’re joined by Santa Clara University student Huy Ngo, a Computer Science and Engineering major with a minor in Real Estate, who studied abroad at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. From juggling a demanding STEM course load on campus to embracing a culture rooted in respect and mindfulness, Huy shares how he adapted to life in Thailand both in and out of the classroom. We dive into his adventures traveling across Southeast Asia, getting scuba dive certified, working with elephants, and immersing himself in the region’s rich natural and cultural diversity.

Along the way, Huy reflects on learning the Thai language, building new friendships, and finding confidence through pushing past his comfort zone. His story is a testament to the power of an adventurous spirit and the unexpected ways studying abroad can expand not just your worldview, but your sense of self.

In this episode of Abroaden Your Horizons, we’re joined by Santa Clara University students Fernando Salvador Francisco, a Communication major with a focus in filmmaking and a minor in technical theater, and Lindsey Gebhardt, a Chemistry major. These two close friends studied abroad on opposite sides of the globe- literally- in Cork, Ireland, and Auckland, New Zealand (yes, they even tested the distance!).

We dive into their unique journeys, navigating culture shock, finding community abroad, and readjusting to life back home—all while staying connected from thousands of miles apart. They also reflect on what led them to study abroad: Lindsey, whose mom's own global adventures inspired her, and Francisco, a first-generation college student forging his own path. Their story is a celebration of friendship, growth, and the unexpected ways that studying abroad can shape who you become.