ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain

Spending a semester abroad in Sevilla was one of the best experiences that I have ever had. All of the staff were very helpful and made a point to get to know all of us individually. The city is very safe and I made lots of Spanish friends that I still talk to regularly now that I'm back in the States. The classes were engaging and the professors were all very knowledgable. The city is very walkable and accessible which made getting around easy. Outside of the city centre there are a lot of small restaurants for a more local feel to the city and the food.

This experience was life-changing! I didn't know what to expect when I first got to Sevilla, so I came in with an open mind. That was honestly the best thing I could have possibly done. Upon arrival, the program staff and my homestay family greeted me with warmth. Although I didn't know Spanish and my homestay family didn't know English, we created a strong bond and were able to teach each other and learn from each other. I learned so much about myself going abroad, and it gave me confidence and a new perspective on how I approach life.
Throughout the program I met some incredible people who I still keep in touch with today. We bonded over shared experiences and traveled together throughout Spain. It was amazing because it sort of provided a safety net and secure space, knowing that you all have shared emotions! We all had so much fun together and didn't want to leave!

This experience was one of the best I have ever had. I went on this trip completely alone, not sure what to expect. I was nervous but filled with excitement. Upon my arrival, I was picked up by my host family at the ISA building. My first impression was that they were very kind, but I was nervous so we did not speak much at first. I was excited to be a part of a home stay, however my first weekend there, my family went on a trip, and I was alone. It was an interesting experience adjusting to a foreign country alone, but I managed. I do wish I had gotten closer with my family however.
I met the most incredibly people and made lifelong friends of both locals and other students in the program. The excursions were fun and educational, and the trips were well planned. My only regret is that I wish I would have stayed longer! Because of this program, I am going to be returning to Spain this summer for an internship in Madrid.

Not to be dramatic, but my study abroad experience in Seville, Spain is all I ever talk and think about. I am that person who always references their time studying abroad whenever I get the chance to do so. Seville was special to me because I was already pretty familiar with the culture of southern Spain from having taken Spanish classes in the past. I made so many friends in my program and made so many connections and had an absolutely unforgettable time.

I lived with a host family which was extremely helpful in practicing the language and learning the culture. Living in the on-campus housing would've been a convenient choice, but I wanted to experience life abroad in the most authentic ways possible. I miss my host mom's cooking! Forcing yourself to be immersed in the culture & language is a great way to fully appreciate it.

One of the most challenging aspects of going abroad was the traveling in general. I made it a point to "rehearse" traveling by making checklists, fitting things into my suitcase, going through security, deciding what would go into my carry-on, etc. One of the most important things I learned is to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage in case of flight delays or cancellations.

One negative thing I have to say is surrounding culture shock. This is a common occurrence and I was in no way exempt! Program managers can warn you, but until you get there and experience it yourself, you find that there's really no way out but through. One of the most pertinent examples of culture shock I experienced was in customer service related scenarios. Spaniards don't waste time saying "hi, how are you?" at restaurants or stores. Everything is very to-the-point and straightforward. Asking how someone is is reserved for close personal relationships only!

I will spend forever trying to maintain the happiness and carefreeness I experienced during my study abroad experience. I learned so much more than I thought I would, about myself and the world, as well as practicing speaking Spanish. If someone ever mentions going abroad to me, I try to convince them to do it because it was the best time of my entire life.

My time in Sevilla during my study abroad with ISA was by far the greatest experience of my life. From the excursions to the course and the people I met through the program, my semester was packed full of excitement and life-changing experiences. I lived with a host family, and by the end of my time in Spain, they had become like a second family to me. With my host parents, I was able to become so immersed in the city of Sevilla, learning about its rich history, culture, and traditions. The ISA staff was also incredible! They are there to make sure you stay safe, but also to ensure you have the most fun possible on your study abroad. In my program, we did excursions to Morocco, Lisbon, Gibraltar, and a few other places, and the ISA staff was always right there with you having fun. As far as classes go, I took mine at a local university with many other international students. This was amazing because I became friends with students from all over the world. My time with ISA was truly incredible and it has left me wanting more and ready to plan another trip abroad.

My semester in Sevilla was the best time of my life. I met so many great people and had countless experiences that I will never forget. Each trip I went on was amazing, and I am already trying to figure out how to go back. My host family made the experience even better, and I cannot wait to see them again. You will not regret your decision to go abroad, and I truly believe it is the best decision you can make while you're in college. I miss being there every day, and I cannot wait for my opportunity to go back.

I cannot explain how amazing my experience was in this 500 word review. This is a once in a life time experience where you find amazing friends, indulge in culture, and travel around Spain and Europe. I found new lifestyles that I have brought back to me to the U.S. I am in the process of planning my trip back to Sevilla with my friends from study abroad to relive our time we had there. I've already visited many of my friends from study abroad in the U.S. One year ago today, I was reading reviews and deciding whether on not to do it. I ended doing it worrying about how I was going to do on my own. Ended up learning that everyone was in the same boat, looking for friends worried about how it was going to turn out. Everyone was super friendly and wanted to explore, speak and learn about Sevilla, Spain. Highly recommended even if you don't know much Spanish. Best of luck and have fun!

Studying abroad ignited my hunger and passion for traveling, and it is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life! While studying in Seville, Spain for a semester with ISA I made new friends that I connected with, traveled with, and am still in contact with. Studying abroad for a semester allowed me to travel around Europe and to Africa for a total of 9 countries! The classes that I took at the University of Seville, a historic and enchanting building, were fun and challenging. I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish in my classes, with my host mom, with ISA staff, at the store, at restaurants, and with local friends I made. My host mom was amazing and a fantastic cook! My roommate was very friendly, and we each had our own room. I always felt safe, comfortable, and welcome in my house though at times the temperature was a bit different than I would have preferred (air/heating is not used as frequently to save energy). I was very happy with my choice to study in Seville because it was big enough to have lots of options for restaurants, activities, and modes of transportation, but I did not feel that it was unsafe or I was overwhelmed by the size at all. It was also very sunny in Seville, something I couldn't get enough of! I was also very satisfied with my choice to study abroad with ISA! They were very helpful and offered insightful information throughout all stages of the program. The staff on site were incredibly personable and made the excursions a lot of fun! I would definitely consider traveling with them again!