SIT Study Abroad: Spain: Social Movements, Democracy, and Cultural Identity

This program was so impactful for my understanding and appreciation of the beautiful world we live in! SIT is deeply invested in experiential learning - we went on so many excursions and met many professors / NGO directors / artists / museum staff / and more fantastic characters who were eager to share their excitement about their work and passions. (One man we met is a famous artist who lived in Barcelona for decades, and now lives in a remote home in the hills of Chefchaouen, running a small hostel whose goal is to bring together young men and women in the local area to help bridge the gender gap in Morocco. You will meet many characters like this during your time in the Sevilla program.)

Living with a host family was the perfect way to acculturate myself to Sevilla and practice Spanish. If you get placed with Reyes - you’ve been blessed! SIT’s directors were supportive in helping me adjust to life in a homestay.

The academics are as challenging and meaningful as you make them. I found expectations to be low compared to your typical college experience. However, the material is very interesting so it was easy to stay engaged and motivated. Plus, you can incorporate your experiences with excursions, homestays, and other hands-on moments into what you’re learning - which I actually think can provide more insight than long readings or essay assignments.

If you’re curious about human relations on small and large scales - politics, movements, social change, social UNchange, language, etc - you will find meaning in this program. (In other words, if you study anthro, sociology, psych, IR, polisci, history…)

Great program, excellent directors, incredible location. Go for it and make the most of it! xx

My experience studying abroad with SIT this semester is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I'm crying while writing this because I am so sad to go home. Laura, Vicky, and Victor were the best program directors ever. They supported me throughout this entire process both academically and emotionally. I will miss seeing them everyday. They were so attentive and caring to every single person in our cohort. Everything that I have done with this program from classes to excursions have been nothing short of amazing. Paella classes, goat farms, meetings with human rights organizations, a trip to Morocco, and so much more. I have learned about different cultures and had many invigorating conversations about the world and how we engage as global citizens. We have shared so many laughs and good times and I have done so many things that I would not have been exposed to without SIT Sevilla. I recommend this program for any and everyone! It will be a one of one, unforgettable experience! I ❤️ SIT

I've always wanted to study abroad and had such high expectations for my experience and SIT Sevilla surpassed them in every way. Living with a host family was something I was extremely nervous about but my program advisors made me feel so comfortable about arriving there and I was welcomed into my family with open arms. This experience has challenged me academcially and personally and I can say for sure that I am a better person because of my time in this program. The care and attention by the program advisors for not just the program but the people they're being entrusted to look after. I am so lucky to have had the chance to be in such a supportive program where I learned so much about other cultures and challenge biases I might have had before coming. Leaving Sevilla is one of the most heartbreaking experiences because I grew so close will all the people and my host family became people I could count on for anything and I truly felt I was a member of their family.

This experience was maybe some of the best months of life. The program focuses much of it’s curriculum on field work, being all the wonderful organizations, shelters, excursions, tours that we got to experience. You meet so many scholars, professors, organizers, and many other amazing individuals who added so much to our academics and our time here. The program directors are also the most reliable, helpful, and least judgmental people I’ve ever met (HUGE shoutout to Laura, Vicky, and Victor). It was truly one of the best decisions of my life coming here <3 all the love to everyone who added to my experience

My time with SIT has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. The program staff is the kindest, most supportive, and resourceful group of people you will ever meet. The program in itself is also incredible; the classes and excursions (such as visiting the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba) are informative and insightful into Spain's cultural and political landscape, laying the groundwork for the prospective research project/internship (which are also amazing opportunities for one's academic and professional career!). Furthermore, Seville is one of the most beautiful cities i have ever visited; the people, food, and scenery are absolutely amazing.

If you have the opportunity to join this program, do it!!!!

Sevilla is a great city to study abroad in, and SIT does a great job of getting students to engage with the culture and community. There are lots of international students and the city is not too big, which makes it easy to adjust. People in the city are kind and welcoming to strangers.

The excursions to Morocco and Extremadura were my favorite part. We were able to talk with local organizations, which provided an interesting comparative perspective to the U.S.

I always felt very comfortable, and I learned so much about politics and culture. The program was friendly to non-Spanish speakers, though the experience is better if you can speak Spanish.

This program was the best decision I made in my college career. The SIT program provided me with the most enriching experience while having the freedom to soak in Sevilla. Our classes took place both at the university of Seville and at a separate SIT building which was perfect. The lecturers that were brought in were extremely interesting and the subject matter was perfectly applicable to the fields we all were studying. In addition to the classes, the internship process was amazing. We were set up with local organizations in Sevilla and gained real hands on experience working with NGOs. The group dynamic was also amazing, and I truly attribute that to our coordinators. They were so present and engaging, and made every info session, group activity, or group trip amazing. Their support was so evident, and made all 27 people in our program feel seen and know always. When I talk about this program to other people I have nothing but positive things to say. I would do it over and over if I could, and I would recommend this program to anyone looking.

Definitely a fun study abroad experience. I learned a lot about the local culture and the staff were extremely nice and supportive. When I got sick, they helped me get to the hospital, translated for me, and helped me navigate insurance. I felt very safe and supported the whole time. Try to go in the spring if you can, because Feria and semana santa are amazing. The academics are interesting but not super challenging which could be a pro or a con. And we went on a program trip to Morocco which was also very fun.