Written by Emelia Klanduch
With so many classes to take and activities to participate in on campus, many Hillsdale students are hesitant to study abroad. But for those who make the commitment, the rewards are immense and the experiences unforgettable.
Over two-thirds of Hillsdale’s Spanish majors choose to study abroad, according to Associate Professor of Spanish and Department Chair Dr. Todd Mack. These opportunities help students improve not only their fluency, but also their ability to excel in their other courses at Hillsdale when they return. The Spanish major involves conversation-based classes and literature and civilization classes, both of which come to life when students study abroad and immerse themselves in Spanish culture.
For Hillsdale students, studying Spanish abroad usually means living with host families, along with another roommate or two. They get to enjoy their host mom’s authentic cooking, family meals, and evenings with new friends. When they’re not in class or finishing assignments, students can take day trips to different cities and sights, enjoy cultural events like music and dancing, or spend hours chatting in cafes with classmates.
Hillsdale has partnered with Spanish Studies Abroad (SSA) for over three decades in order to offer several different study-abroad opportunities to its students. Through SSA, Hillsdale’s Spanish students can choose between various programs in Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Latin America.
Students who are curious about a semester in Spain can consider studying in Seville, Alicante, or Barcelona. Those who are intrigued by Argentina can opt for Buenos Aires or Córdoba. There is also an option to study in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Julia Rentmeester, ’27, recently spent a semester abroad in Seville, Spain. She returned with overwhelmingly positive reviews. “This experience was something I’ve wanted to do since high school,” Rentmeester said. “It was something I was carving out time for in my four years at Hillsdale. The experience was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.”
Rentmeester stayed with a host family and had a roommate from the United States. “It was probably the most beneficial part for improving my Spanish proficiency, because we had meals in the house every day. We would sit and talk at meal times,” Rentmeester said. “I got a lot of insights not only into the Spanish language, but into the culture, politics, and fun activities.”
Most days, Rentmeester woke up and headed to a coffee shop for a couple of hours before her first class at 9:00 a.m. During lunch breaks, students are able to go home. Rentmeester said her house mom typically cooked for her and her roommate. They would have time to talk together or watch a show before returning to the university area to wrap up the day. Rentmeester would often stay downtown and finish her homework, which gave her plenty of free time to explore and spend time with her new friends in the evenings.
She had an especially encouraging experience with the Catholic community at the university. She said she explored several different churches while she was there, and that she found a group of young Catholics at her school. “I was part of a Catholic youth group at the university,” said Rentmeester. “That was really cool because it allowed me to make friends with students who were actually Spanish.”
Rentmeester acknowledged that spending a semester away from Hillsdale can feel daunting. She was encouraged to do it after talking to friends who had already done the summer programs. She said they all told her, “I loved the summer trip, but I just wish I could have done it for longer.” Now, Rentmeester could not recommend her experience enough. “This was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken, and it was so amazing and worth it. When I came back for the spring semester, I had such a rejuvenated sense of purpose at Hillsdale and understanding of why I’m here and why I love it here, and what distinguishes us from other places of study.”
Even though the semester study-abroad opportunity requires more commitment, it is still accessible to newer and intermediate students. “I went in at a lower-intermediate level as far as speaking and understanding the language,” said Rentmeester. “By the time I left, I could very comfortably speak and understand Spanish without really having to translate in my head as frequently.”
Of course, it’s not always possible to leave Hillsdale for a full semester. Many students in this situation opt for one of the summer courses. A summer program involves three to four weeks in any of the locations available for the semester abroad.
In addition, Hillsdale’s Spanish Department offers a ten-day, professor-led trip each summer. This trip rotates between Spain and Latin America each year. It is the most popular option for Spanish students at Hillsdale, Dr. Mack said, and students receive three credits upon completion.
This summer, the trip was also in Seville. Eleven Spanish students, led by Dr. Mack and Associate Professor of Spanish Dr. Jared White, formed the group. One of the 11, Amelia King, ’27, said they participated in chores and different workshops every day, as well as visits to different sites. These included several cathedrals, the palace El Alcázar, La Plaza de España, the city Italica, and the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla. They participated in workshops about flamenco dance and how to cook Spanish paella, and they also spent a weekend in Cordoba and Granada, Spain. “Granada was my favorite city we traveled to,” said King. “We toured the city when we first arrived, and then that night we all had dinner at a restaurant. The next day we went to the famous Alhambra fortress.”
The students all stayed with host families, just like in the semester programs. King said she and two other girls stayed with one family, and they typically returned home throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Much like Rentmeester, King said that her Spanish was challenged and improved by living with a family. “A lot of times, our host families did not know English, so you just have to figure out what they’re saying,” said King. “But it was cool because we got to see what it’s like for a family in Spain.”
King also enjoyed the way her experience brought new depth to her other Hillsdale classes. “For me, it’s really cool as a history major, because I feel like I’m learning a lot about some of these places in class. But to see it come to life while we’re in Spain is a really incredible experience.”
Of course, Hillsdale’s Spanish Department knows studying abroad can sound financially daunting. That is why they offer scholarships to qualified students who pursue these opportunities. Both King and Rentmeester received scholarships from the department toward their tuition for their respective programs.
Dr. Mack said they are always looking for ways to get more students to study abroad. “I would tell any student who is thinking about it to really give it a chance before they discount the idea,” said Dr. Mack. “I think a lot of students think studying abroad is just for people with lots of money and time. But it’s an experience that is worth sacrificing for. And many more could do it if they would just give the idea a chance.”
Emelia Klanduch, ’27, is majoring in English and minoring in biology. In her spare time, she loves reading a good book, baking with friends, and rock climbing back home in North Carolina.
Published in September 2026
