An Authentic Abroad Experience

I wasn't sure of where I wanted to go or what I hoped to get out of my study abroad experience. I only knew I wanted to be in a Spanish speaking country. Honestly, I had to look up Sevilla on a map when I got the call that I would be headed to the CIEE Communications, New Media and Journalism program there.

The faculty and staff where there to help, literally whenever one of their students needed support. They were there to walk me step by step through the grueling process of extending my visa, and late one weekend night when I needed a trip to the hospital. It wasn't all crazy emergencies though. The professors all truly care about each individual and take teaching to mean all the skills of life. From hosting Thanksgiving dinners to talking class projects over tapas, the people in CIEE and their courses extend beyond a classroom. The assignments get students out in the community, seeing the real, local people and interacting with them in an authentic way. It's an awesome resume builder too, but by the end you realize that it's more what you can offer the city than what you're "getting" out of studying abroad. I learned so much about what I wanted after graduation as well.

I already cannot wait to get back, and I'm always free to talk about how wonderful my time was living in Seville, Spain with CIEE.