Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most memorable experiences of my college career. I immersed myself in Spanish culture both inside and outside the classroom, from ordering food and drinks and communicating with my host family to exploring the city's streets, landmarks, and history. Living in Seville gave me a much deeper appreciation for the language and culture.
Academically, studying in Seville gave me the opportunity to experience a different academic environment. As a Spanish minor, I found that immersion in the language greatly improved my proficiency and confidence. Practicing Spanish in real-life situations helped me become more comfortable with speaking and listening, especially with my host family, who only spoke Spanish. Adjusting to unfamiliar teaching styles and classroom expectations was an obstacle. At times, I found learning Spanish from a native speaker slightly difficult, but I am so glad I got to practice because it was ultimately very beneficial. I would recommend that students thinking about studying in another country communicate every question and concern with professors. It can be difficult to have a slight language barrier, even in an English class. Going abroad is still a college semester, even if it seems like you are exploring more than studying.
Outside of academics, traveling was my favorite part of this experience. Seville as a home base made it so easy and exciting to plan trips to experience other places. I became so much more independent when needing to navigate train stations, airports, and the bus/metro systems. I would recommend budgeting and researching all your options when traveling to make it as cost-effective as possible.
While waking up in a new country every day was exciting, there are also challenges that future students should know about. My biggest challenge when I landed in Seville was being away from family and friends, and the fact that I was the only student in my accommodation. I was lucky enough to have a small group to do everything with, but it was a little daunting to be separated from them. I think choosing to live in a host family was the best choice I could have made. It feels like I now have personal connections to Seville, and it made my trip so much more meaningful.
In terms of packing, I would strongly recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes because you will likely walk much more than you do at home. My other recommendation would be to bring a portable charger too. The number of times my phone almost died while I was away from home was almost comical, and if I didn’t have a portable charger on me, I would have had trouble getting back.
My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of the experience. It is truly what you make of it. Fill your days with exploring, practicing the language, and learning new things about the city you choose to study in! I would encourage future students to try unfamiliar foods and participate in the cultural customs and activities. Step outside of your comfort zone and appreciate even the small everyday moments!
Overall, I could not recommend studying abroad in Seville more. The experience helped me grow in so many ways while giving me a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I now have stories that I still share with my friends from home, and I have lifelong friendships with the people I spent my time with. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this program to take this opportunity and embrace it to the fullest.
What was your funniest moment?
During my semester abroad, there were so many moments that left my friends and me laughing for weeks. One story I would share with students thinking about studying abroad happened during our weekend trip to London.
We were running late, and my friend, who can barely function without coffee, had just gotten the coffee machine at our hostel to work. We rushed outside toward the bus stop, and as soon as we saw the bus coming, my other friend and I took off running to catch it. Our friend had no lid on her cup, so every step made her coffee spill everywhere.
Once we finally made it onto the bus, things somehow got even more chaotic. We started making our way up to the second floor (can you tell it was our first time on a double-decker bus?), but our friend wasn't holding on to anything. Just as we reached the stairs, the bus took off, and she started stumbling around, spilling even more coffee. My friend and I were standing at the top of the stairs laughing so hard that we could barely move, let alone help her.
It's one of those memories that randomly pops into my head, and I still find myself laughing about it. Looking back, it's moments like these that make studying abroad so special. Not everything goes according to plan, but sometimes the most chaotic experiences are the stories you remember forever.
Pros
- Making lifelong friends and memories.
- Improving my proficiency in Spanish.
- Getting to be independent and explore new places I have always dreamed about.
What other participants should know
- Make sure you have walking shoes that will not hurt your feet!
- Always charge your phone or know your way home!
- Know the basic phrases and how to order food or ask for help!
