Growing up, I always heard my mom describe how much she loved her semester abroad in New Zealand, and I knew I wanted a similar opportunity to explore the world during college. As a pre-med student, I assumed studying abroad was impossible to fit into my schedule, until I learned about Rice in Spain, a Medical Spanish summer program in Pamplona. It offered the chance to strengthen my Spanish, immerse myself in a new culture, and gain meaningful experience through simulations, coursework, and volunteering. What I didn’t expect was just how deeply the experience would shape me.

The most impactful part of my time in Pamplona was living with my host family. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me as one of their own. During the two months I lived with them, I learned about Spanish culture not from textbooks or tours, but through family dinners, long conversations, and trips with my host father through the countryside on his motorcycle. I even traveled to San Sebastián for my host brother’s graduation. They made Pamplona feel like my second home, and I left with relationships that I know will last a lifetime. Six months later, I still look forward to our weekly video calls and cannot wait to visit again.

Through the program, I also practiced patient interactions and volunteered at a local nursing home. I loved talking to residents and learning about their families and the different traditions in Pamplona, especially San Fermín, the annual festival that includes the running of the bulls. These experiences helped me see healthcare through a global lens and taught me to communicate with compassion across language and cultural barriers. I know these lessons will stay with me throughout medical school and my future career.

Ultimately, the Rice in Spain program expanded my world while still allowing me to make progress toward my degree. I was able to explore new places, form new connections, and grow in ways I never anticipated. I have found that Rice truly allows students to pursue their goals, regardless of what they may be, on campus or across the world. I am forever grateful to Rice for giving me the opportunity to find my second home and family in Spain.

-Lexi, Baker ‘28 (Published on 1/13/2026)