CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Seville, Spain

My study abroad experience in Sevilla was absolutely amazing. I studied abroad for the entire spring semester in 2017. Not only was the city breathtaking, but the support from the staff at CEA is something that I felt really set them apart. During the application process, while you're there, and even your experience is over, the staff members are there to help with any guidance you may need. They have no issues helping you with problems related to school, housing, or travel. The excursions that are included in the program fees are a perfect blend of historical and fun. There are plenty of group activities, but also time for you to explore on your own. They also offer a lot of different activities throughout the city, such as a bullfight, a cooking class, and intercambios, which gives you an opportunity to meet some of the locals that want to learn English! I would highly recommend this program to anyone thinking about studying abroad!

Choosing to study in Seville was quite easy for me. I grew up hearing stories about the labyrinthine streets and unchallenged beauty of the city from my family, who spent almost every summer there. I was able to walk the same streets my grandfather grew up on and make memories of my own.

I had the amazing opportunity to share my connection to Seville and several other stories as CEA’s Mobile Journalist (MOJO) for Seville during the Spring 2017 semester. A friend of mine had previously been a MOJO for CEA in Aix-en-Provence and recommended I study with them, and it was definitely the right choice!

The academics in Seville were a bit confusing at first and were not well-explained on their website or by staff. Some courses I wanted were canceled or were changed which was a bit of a disappointment, however, I thoroughly enjoyed all the courses I ended up taking and thankfully my major (International Studies) was incredibly flexible. Surprisingly my classes at the University of Seville (USS) were much easier than those at the CEA campus. I did feel a bit under-stimulated with my courses at USS, but that gave me more time to explore the city and to travel throughout Europe.

I was very lucky to have an amazing apartment, just a ten-minute walk to USS and the CEA campus. I heard from some year-long students that their previous apartments were not as nice, so it must be quite random which type of apartment you will be placed in. I enjoyed the freedom that came along with apartment living, especially since I am quite independent.

Overall, I had an amazing semester in Seville and hope to spend more time in the city in the near future. My one piece of advice for any prospective student in Seville would be to get out of your comfort zone and strive to meet locals and other international students; with the structure of CEA it is too easy to be surrounded by only other Americans, but you’ll have a more fulfilling time if you break out of that circle.

I was a little nervous to leave the comfort of the United States and study abroad. I didn't know anyone that was going to the same location as me, let alone was in the same program. Since arriving here, CEA has been completely accommodating and helpful. We opened the program with a couple days of orientation where we were given guided tours of our neighborhoods and allowed to mingle with the other students. I was hoping to make new friends to travel with, and I think the structure of these first few days were extremely conducive for this. I have loved my different professors at both the CEA center and EUSA. While the program is mainly made up of American students, CEA has allowed me ample opportunity to meet locals and students from other parts of the world. I also absolutely love Seville. There are so many opportunities to practice speaking Spanish and to learn about Spanish culture. It feels really safe and clean. I would recommend this program 100 times over.

I really enjoyed my semester abroad. CEA gives amazing opportunities to explore within Spain and outside of Spain. The excursion to Morocco was a real highlight of the trip. There is so much culture and always something to do or see in Sevilla! There are many beautiful sights to see in Sevilla. The Cathedral, Plaza de España, Alcazar, and more. The Spaniards are so welcoming and it is a perfect place to practice spanish! The food is amazing and the architecture and people match it.

I could not be happier with my decision to attend CEA Seville. The amount of support I received from the very beginning when I was applying for the program to my day to day questions while I am abroad has been incredible. The staff is friendly, excited, and willing to assist in absolutely any way possible.

The classes are not as intensive as those in America but it is so much better this way as it allows us to gain actual worldly experience instead of sitting inside doing hours of homework. CEA provides its students with many opportunities to connect with locals and attend cultural workshops and excursions. More is provided in this program than any other I have seen.

I highly recommend CEA's unique Casa de Sevilla housing option which gives students the freedom to live in an apartment on their own but also the convenience of having a house mom who cooks and cleans. I love it very much and my house mom is the absolute sweetest!

Seville is a wonderful city as well, the perfect combination of hustle and bustle as well as safety and comfort. Overall, this program has been amazing. No regrets!

My experience in Seville was incredible. Coming from a latin background and being fluent in Spanish, it was such a cool experience for me to put my Spanish speaking skills to test by talking to local Sevillanos, singing to top Spanish hits, and immersing myself in a new Spanish culture. I absolutely loved Seville because I learned so much about Spain in general such as its historic background, its current conflicts/issues that occurring, and Spaniards way of life. With such a strong Spanish culture, Seville forces you to practice Spanish and not just hang out with American study abroad students. This was my favorite part about studying abroad in this city because this is how I gained so much by studying abroad. I became more confident with speaking to new people, and becoming a world-traveler. But most importantly, studying abroad helped be to become a global citizen. Seville has had such a great impact on my life that I now want to go back after I graduate to work there for at least 6 months.

“Sevilla tiene una cosa, que solo tiene Sevilla” This basically means Seville has a thing that is only Seville, which could not be a truer statement. I studied abroad in Seville, Spain for four months and had the time of my life. I lived with my host mom and two other girls. From the moment, I landed in Seville CEA staff made sure we were all accounted for and got us to the right place.

My “madre” greeted me with open arms and made sure I felt welcomed.
I had my classes split between a local university there, Universidad de Pablo Olavide, and the CEA program. This gave me a range of classes to choose from. All my classes were in Spanish and my speaking and comprehension improved.

CEA offered great side trips to Portugal, Cordoba, Granada, and other places. There were great local culture learning activities where we watched a private flamenco show, learned how to make typical tapas, and learned all about bull fighting before viewing the show.
All the staff were great were ready to solve any problem and give tips from trying to find someone who could do braids, researching places to go on the weekend, and figuring out how issues with lost keys.

Overall, I had a wonderful time. I made life long friends with locals and others across the country. I would recommend everyone to go to Seville, Spain with CEA. You won't regret it.

Studying abroad through CEA in Seville, Spain was hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made. Whether it was the CEA staff in Phoenix, Arizona or the on-site staff in Seville, everyone was incredibly helpful and reliable. The staff were always available to help me with anything I needed. Whether it was helping me through the registration process and making sure I had all of my necessary documents or when I was in Spain and didn't know how to get somewhere or needed a restaurant recommendation. My semester abroad would not have been as successful as it was if it weren't for all of the CEA staff. Having the CEA Seville Center to go to every day was key in fully emerging myself in the Sevillano culture and being successful in my academics.