API Study Abroad Program at the University of Seville, Spain
Academic Programs International (API) invites you to come study abroad in Spain at the Universidad de Sevilla! Founded in 1502, the University of Seville has a great wealth of history in itself, but placed in a beautiful city filled with Moorish architecture and friendly local Spaniards, you can't go wrong!
API offers many programs through the university, including these semester long programs: Contemporary Hispanic Studies, Integrated Studies with Spaniards, Spanish Communications, and Spanish Language and Humanities. Summer programs are also offered, focusing on Spanish or Arabic language and culture. Don't hesitate! Take advantage of these great programs with this great provider.
Check out the program's alumni interviews and reviews. Click on the "Visit Our Website" link above for more information today!
Reviews
100%Overall
Rating
80%Overall
Rating
I had originally chosen API because it was the most affordable study abroad program that I could find in Sevilla. However, that did not stop them from offering an inclusive, cultural program that would be very difficult to beat.
My experience in Spring 2012 was overall very positive, and I'll list some of the highlights, as well as some of my not-so-positive experiences:
1) Excursions - we were given tours of Madrid, Toledo, a bike tour of Sevilla when we arrived, Granada, Cadiz, Extremadura, Portugal, and probably more that I'm forgetting at the moment. Not only were these tours wonderful, informative, and intimate, but we were given great hotels to stay at (a monastery from the 1400's was my favorite), but we were essentially shown a side of Spain that we would have never seen from an insider's point of view.
2) Staff - API hires wonderful, caring people to work with us, and I was very impressed with them. They helped us plan trips, find churches, and gave us candid advice.
3) Housing - It was both a good and challenging experience for me. I chose a host family stay, and I was well-fed and cared for. My mom was a fabulous cook! I did struggle a bit with her timetable; my mother wanted me home at certain times for meals, and it was hard to do so with all of the activities going on. However, overall it was very good. API was very eager to make sure that we had good housing; some of my friends disliked their situations and were able to find better accommodations with API's help.
4) Academics - I took classes in Spanish but with Americans, and that is probably my biggest regret. The classes were good, and I learned quite a bit, but my Spanish would have improved so much more had I taken the classes with Spaniards option. I'd encourage anyone to do that.
Overall, a fabulous experience.
Critical Feedback:
More availability and flexibility of classes with Spaniards; I couldn't enroll in that option because I could not finish my degree in time, due to a lack of options.
90%Overall
Rating
I would absolutely recommend API to anyone looking into studying abroad. From the very first day when you land in your host country the staff is ready to help you transition into your new life, and on all the excursions the group leaders were incredibly knowledgeable about every place that we visited. My group leader would even usually point out good restaurants and sites to visit on our free time in all out cities and sometimes would even purchase a small treat for our whole group so that we could get a taste of the truly local flavor. And this program is absolutely the best value when you take into consideration how many trips you get to take for about the same amount of money as most other programs. Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made and the best experience I have ever had and I think I owe a great deal of that to API.
Critical Feedback:
I think the only thing that really bothered me was that my roommates and I were disappointed in the food our house mother fed us. We felt that what we were being served didn't reflect what we were paying for and our diet was often times lacking nutrients. All in all it wasn't much of a sacrifice when we were given such amazing opportunities and experiences otherwise.
100%Overall
Rating
A.P.I. helped me adapt to the life and culture in Spain. They placed with a fantastic host family in Sevilla, who had a daughter around my age. I met friends there who are just as close to me as my friends at home and one came to visit me in the U.S. Thanks to A.P.I. I feel like my home is truly in 2 parts of the world, while more travel adventures await me in the future. !Gracias API!
100%Overall
Rating
My overall experience in Seville was nothing less than amazing. I couldn't find a better word to describe it. Even getting to school, which was a 25 minute bus ride from my home, was enjoyable, something I thought would be a pain. People are the nicest in South Spain, the weather is good, food is great, and the overall atmosphere of one's life is magnificent. There's always something to do, there's always people on the street having some tapas, drinking a cold beer, having a good time. I learned so much about myself being abroad. The staff of API was great in helping me adjust, get around, and know the city and its surroundings in a way I couldn't have done on my own. My classes at school were very interesting yet challenging, and my classmates were always very inviting. My host parents were amazing, two of the nicest people I've ever met. No cliche, having studied abroad has been the greatest experience of my life.
100%Overall
Rating
I studied in Sevilla, Spain with API for the entire 2010-2011 academic year. It was the best decision I have ever made.
There are a plethora of programs in Sevilla. Was I happy with my decision? YES. After getting to know students in all different types of programs, I was so happy to have chosen API. Somehow API is more affordable than most programs, yet they still offer the most excursions... including international ones! I traveled with API to many different areas of Spain. Some of my favorite were tiny little towns I never would have discovered on my own. We also went to Paris, France and Marrakech, Morocco! The excursions had just the right amount of planned activities and free time.
Travel was great, but my best memories are probably from Sevilla itself. I lived with an adorable young family. My host mom was an actress, so I had the opportunity to go to several theatrical events in the city as well as watch Spanish movies with her. I had adorable younger host sisters who we would play games with. I had American roommates who are now some of my best friends. No worries though, we had no problems making Spanish friends. We would go to their house and teach them American games, etc, and they would teach us how to cook Spanish and Moroccan food. Keeping in touch with them has really been important for my retention of my Spanish.
Sevilla is the perfect size. It is large enough to have infinite exploration possibilities, but it is small enough to walk everywhere you want to go. Each neighborhood in Sevilla has a completely distinct atmosphere, so there are places for everyone. Each night of the week you could go to a different area. I greatly miss Sevilla's food! Tapa hopping was definitely a favorite activity.
The University of Sevilla is lovely. The building itself is hundreds of years old. I mostly took Spanish culture classes like the history of flamenco and art from Andalucia. While I definitely think my classes improved my Spanish skills, I must admit there was minimal work involved. My grades mostly consisted of a mid term, a final, and maybe one large project of paper. Other than that, there was minimal work outside of class.
All year in Sevilla I heard talk of the spring festivals, Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, or Holy Week and the April Fair. I thought my time in Sevilla couldn't get any better... but it did. Semana Santa was a really touching religious and cultural experience. Sevilla is known throughout the world for the processions of church altars throughout the city. After this week of solemnity and devotion, the April Fair begins. Feria was probably the best week of my life. A special area of the city transforms into a village of large tents with bars and dancefloors, called casetas. The other half is a full blown carnival with food and rides. The streets are filled with horses and carriages. You spend all day and night there. My favorite part is the clothing... The men dress up in suits, and the women wear flamenco dresses! It is such a part of their culture that in the winter there is even a flamenco fashion exhibition in Sevilla preparing for Feria.
My year in Sevilla was a fantastic experience from which I gained infinite memories and friendships. I can't recommend it enough!
100%Overall
Rating
Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made and API was the best program I could have asked for! The program directors were so helpful and accommodating. They were awesome. Our group was small (40-45 people) compared to other study abroad programs like CEA and CIEE (1,000+), which was nice because you got to know everyone.
Classes were at la Universidad de Sevilla with all the other study abroad programs. Some were easier than others, but they were all spoken in Spanish. The workload was a lot easier than in the states and the exams weren't too bad either. It also helps to sign up or find an intercambio to practice speaking Spanish with. That helped me a lot.
API had a lot of excursions compared to the other programs and cost less. We went to Madrid, El Escorial, Toledo, Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Donana, Extremadura, and Morocco. (I might be forgetting some!)
I would highly recommend living with a host family, because that's the best way to practice the language! Plus, you get to have authentic Spanish meals every day, which were amazing!
There was a lot to do at night, as far as the social scene. There are a lot of bars along Calle Betis, although it gets a little touristy. If you're looking for where all the Spaniards go, head to Alfalfa. I also recommend going on a tapas crawl. My friends and I went through a hostel that was hosting one and had a lot of fun. There were a lot of places we got to see in Sevilla that we didn't have a chance to experience before.
Sevilla is also the best place to be during Semana Santa (Holy Week) and you have to go to Feria! If your host family or someone you know has their own private caseta, that is the best way to enjoy Feria, but you can still have fun in the public casetas.
Overall, I would definitely study abroad with API again! It was the best decision I ever made.
100%Overall
Rating
Choosing API as opposed to another program was the best decision I made when I decided to study abroad. The program has academic options for students of all levels, the staff on site as well as back home were always extremely supportive and accommodating, and the best part was we got to go on so many excursions and cultural activities throughout the city, country, and even internationally! AND the total program fee costs less than other programs that offered fewer excursions and amenities. The city of Seville is a beautiful place that is not too large but definitely not too small--you will never get bored but you will feel like you know the city like it is your home by the end of your stay, if not sooner. Across the board at the University of Seville, academics are very manageable and allow for a lot of free time that you will want so you can take advantage of all aspects of the city, traveling, and being abroad in general. Definitely a great program all around.
Alumni Interviews
Meet Alyssa Baumgarten - API, Spain alum
Alyssa Baumgarten is from Massachusetts and is currently studying education and sociology at Stonehill College. She enjoys music and dance, playing volleyball, and working with kids. She spent the fall of 2011 in Sevilla.
GO: Which city did you study abroad in and for how long?
Alyssa: I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain for one semester. At first, it was a little challenging to be away from home, but once I got comfortable, I felt like I would not have enough time to do all of the things I wanted and just get to live in such a beautiful city. I did not want to leave when the semester ended and have been dying to go back ever since. While I was studying in Sevilla, I also had the opportunity to travel to other Spanish cities as well as France, Italy, Portugal, and Morocco. I studied at Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO), which is located a little outside the city. You have to take the Metro to get there, but I did not mind the commute at all. I really liked UPO because you can choose to take classes in Spanish or English, participate in activities with Spanish students, and the class sizes are small with friendly professors.
GO: Why did you decide to study with API?
Alyssa: I decided to study with API for a number of reasons. One of the main things that drew me to API was that they plan fun travel excursions and outings for the whole group both in and out of country. I was really interested in seeing as many places as possible and also spending time getting to know the other students in my program, which these excursions were perfect for!
I also really liked the selection of classes and the option of living with a host family. I had spoken with an API alum while I was applying and heard how supportive the API staff are. They can help with any concerns you have, whether it be classes, your living situation, or the language. API just gave off a welcoming feeling that made me feel very comfortable and prepared to move to a foreign country for three months.
GO: What made this experience unique and special?
Alyssa: One thing that made my experience so special was the host family I was lucky enough to live with. I lived with a young couple who I thorougly enjoyed talking with at all my meals (which were delicious!) and who were always caring and supportive. Another aspect of my study abroad experience that I absolutely loved was the city of Sevilla itself. The city was small enough to be able to walk or bike to most places but big enough where I never felt bored and there were always new things to see. The old architecture, the river, and the parks are beautiful and there are so many great places to eat and go out to experience the culture. The bike share system is great for getting almost anywhere you want to go. Finally, the close friendships I made with the other students in the API program really made my experience special. Traveling and having classes with a relatively small group of people allowed me to get to know them well and always have someone to explore with.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Alyssa: This experience has been very influential for my future plans. It deepened my love for the Spanish language and confirmed my decision to pursue a career in which I can use those skills. Studying abroad also made me much more independent, confident, and flexible, which has made me more willing to take advantage of opportunities outside of my comfort zone. For example, I have applied to spend a year volunteering in Latin America after graduating from college. The experience also increased my already strong passion for travel and made me more curious to see the world as a I get older.
Interview with Mary Treuer, API student in Seville
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with API in Seville, Spain?
Mary: I have wanted to go to Spain to study since I was fifteen years old. I have taken Spanish classes since kindergarten, and while in high school my desire to experience the Spanish culture grew even more. I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad there.
My university, Marist College offers a very popular program for Spanish majors like myself in Madrid, but I wanted to be in a smaller city and study abroad without anyone else who attended my home university. I chose Sevilla for several reasons, firstly because it is a fairly large city but much smaller than Madrid and Barcelona, the climate is always mild or warm, and the south of Spain is known for its gorgeous Moorish architecture.
The fusion of the Spanish culture with the old Moorish world is something that stood out to me when I studied Spanish history. I studied at Universidad de Sevilla, which in itself is a historical place. The university, an old Tobacco factory where the famous opera Carmen took place is filled with open ceiling, fountains, and grand staircases. It was certainly an interesting way to go to class everyday.
I chose A.P.I. because they had a strong relationship with my school and I had heard great things. When I talked to representatives at my on campus abroad fair, they were so friendly and resourceful. A.P.I. gave me a peer mentor, who made all the difference. Planning to study abroad without knowing anyone had made me a little bit nervous, so I had many questions to ask my mentor. She took the time to answer my questions in a two page long email and kept in touch with me from there on out.
When I arrived in Spain, my program director was at the airport right on time and I became acquainted with the other students in the group very quickly. I'm glad I picked A.P.I. because they made me feel comfortable, not to mention their excursions around Spain and to Morocco were amazing!
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Mary: Every student who gets the opportunity to study abroad has a unique experience and mine was certainly very special to me. I had the opportunity to travel throughout Spain and to Portugal, Morocco, Ireland, England, and Italy. I went to some of these places with my entire A.P.I. group and others with just one or two individuals.
Traveling with different people always made each experience unique. The other American students I met through A.P.I. had mostly come on their own as well, which I think made them more open to adventures and also encouraged me to do the same. I still talk to some of the friends I have met abroad, especially my friend Alex who I am fortunate enough to have living in the next state, so we have been able to visit one another several times. The friendships students make abroad are truly unforgettable!
The most unique part about my experience in Sevilla was very unexpected. I went to Spain knowing I would love it, but it went far beyond my expectations. My friend Marielle, convinced me to go to out to a place I had never been and introduced me to several of her Spanish friends, all whom I became close with, and one who I have been dating for about a year now.
An international love story was not a chapter of my abroad experience I would have outlined before, but I do not regret a single moment! I owe my boyfriend Juan for many of the happy moments I experienced while in Spain, and for other great joys we have experienced as he has visited the U.S.
I owe the other friends I have made in Sevilla for many laughs and smiles, some of the greatest which I recall during the Feria, Sevilla's week long festival. The week of Feria, I wore a traditional flamenco dress, learned how to dance "sevillanas," ate tapas and drank Spanish mazanilla, and stayed out until seven in the morning with my friends. This is something I will never, ever forget. I truly know Sevilla is not only a place I lived in for a while, but a real home, and I owe that to the friends I made there. I will be back there this summer to visit, and just thinking about it puts a smile on my face.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Mary: My abroad experience has changed me in more ways that I have ever imagined, all ways that I see as positive. I see things now from a global perspective and always wonder how current events affect the world, and not just the United States. Having friends in other places makes these places seem much more real and alive in my mind. Also, being in a long distance relationship with someone from Spain has helped me learn about myself and made me into a more understanding person and a better communicator. I see this as a vital skill in life.
My abroad experience also helped me from a professional perspective. I achieved my goal of improving my Spanish and I would like to improve even more. I also volunteered at a nursing home while in Sevilla on several occasions, which further assured me that I would love to work with the elderly.
Ideally, I would like to combine my passion of speaking Spanish with my passion for working with older people. My goal is to pursue a Master's degree in the Geriatric field and eventually become an administrator of an elderly facility, homecare agency, or nonprofit organization in an area where there are a high concentration of Spanish speakers.
Wherever my career takes me, I think knowing Spanish is an essential skill for any American today, as the Spanish speaking population increases. Wherever my career path takes me, my experience in Spain was just the beginning of a relationship, with an amazing place, people I really care about, and a language I have always loved.
Interview with Eileen Giudice, API student in Seville, Spain
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with API in Seville?
Eileen: When I was 15 years old, I fell in love with the Spanish language. Ever since then I have wanted to become fluent in Spanish and while my classes as a Spanish major at the University of Michigan help me improve my language skills, I knew the only way to become fluent was to be immersed in the language.
I chose Spain because I wanted to be able to travel throughout Europe while I was studying abroad and Seville in particular because I had heard from people that not too many people know English, which would force me to speak Spanish as much as possible and not fall back on English. In addition, I knew the city of Seville is not too large but definitely not too small either, which would allow me to really get to know the city and feel like it was my home.
I chose to study through API primarily because I would be able to take Communications classes in Spanish with Spanish students, which would fulfill credit for both my Communications major and Spanish major. Beyond that, I was particularly impressed by the number of excursions API would take us on, both trips throughout Spain and even international ones like Morocco--and it was cheaper than most other programs I had seen!
GO: What do you think made this experience unique and special?
Eileen: The number one thing that made me have such an amazing study abroad experience was the people I met, specifically the Spanish friends I made. Through the compassion they showed in taking me out and bringing me into their friend group, I learned so much about the Spanish culture, life in general, and even helped me learn a lot about myself.
I learned similar lessons from the American friends I made, people who were from all over the country who had such unique experiences from my own. And with the cultural activities and numerous excursions API took us on, I learned even more about Spain and was able to experience things I could not have without API. But even beyond what my friends and API taught me, without my effort to keep an open mind, remain positive, and push myself to experience new things, I would not have had the amazing time abroad that I did.
GO: How did this experience impact your academic development?
Eileen: Being abroad and speaking Spanish everyday confirmed my love for Spanish and helped me see that I want to incorporate Spanish into my career in the future. It also has influenced my desire to go abroad again and possibly live abroad, possibly in a different region of the world like Latin America, so I can continue to improve my Spanish as well as learn about more cultures and explore our world. Overall, being abroad helped me grow to be more independent, more confident in myself, and more open about the world, all traits that have carried over into my life today and will remain in me forever.
Further Info
About API
Academic Programs International, API, is an educational organization dedicated to providing challenging and enriching study abroad programs for our students. The experience of living, interacting and learning in an international environment presents invaluable opportunities for each student's academic and personal development.
All of their academic and extracurricular offerings are selected with the goal of helping students to become more self-aware and culturally sensitive. API envisions each student evolving from a tourist, to a resident, to a global citizen; API is dedicated to supporting this lifelong process.
API strives to provide the best comprehensive study abroad experience possible with personal attention available to all students throughout his or her program. API works closely with home universities to offer support before, during and after students' education abroad experience.
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API Sevilla, Spain was amazing. I had the best host mother in a residencia, and the classes at my school were with other study abroad students but taught by Spanish professors. The whole experience was amazing, we went on trips, had thanksgiving dinner, and many other fun activities throughout the city during our semester. The staff is absolutely dedicated to every student, and the program size was manageable, only about 20 students, the perfect size as far as Im concerned.