My name is Erika Via, and I am a 5th year Biology: International Plan major. This past summer, I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain for 17 weeks.

For the first six weeks, I took two courses and worked in a lab part-time. In the Mediterranean Ecology class, a Biology elective, we explored ecological systems of the Mediterranean by completing a series of field projects along the eastern coast of Spain. My second class was an International Affairs course about the Culture, Politics, and Soccer of Spain. We learned about the turbulent history of Spain and how it has shaped the political and social climate of today through lectures, site visits, and field trips around Valencia. We even took a tour of the VCF Football stadium!

For the next four weeks, I worked full-time at the Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva in Verdugo's Comparative Neurobiology lab and took a Spanish course at the University of Valencia.

For the last 7 weeks of my trip, I continued working in the lab and moved to a suburb of Valencia called Burjassot.

I had an amazing time this summer, and plan to go back to visit my Spanish friends during spring break for Valencia's Fallas festival! I have posted some of my favorite photos from the trip on this site. Enjoy!