Go to Sevilla with CIEE!

My time abroad with CIEE was one of the best times of my life! I stayed with a host family and learned more Spanish than I ever did taking classes in school. I got to experience Spain in such an authentic way, and even more, in Seville! It's a place filled with so much culture and history. I took part in CIEE's intercambio program, and was able to practice my Spanish once a week with a Spanish student. It was good I had this opportunity becuase I got to see Seville through the eyes of a local. CIEE provided endless amounts of support and many excursions. I even visited Morocco! One of the things I appreciated about the program is the required mid-semester check in. It made me realize that I wanted to do more things and take advantage of my time being there.

I loved that I went to Seville in the Spring because I was able to experience Semana Santa and Feria. I have such amazing memories of Feria- what a week! Every one was dressed up dancing sevillanas and sipping rebujitos in casetas! And the fireworks on the last day were the most beautiful I've ever seen.

As a black woman, one of the concerns I had was going from a very diverse city in the Bay Area to a homogeneously Spanish city, but the people in Seville were all very sweet and helpful. It was definitely a culture shock for me, but I learned that the people I interacted with learned as much about my culture and experience as I did theirs. Overall, I highly suggest going to Seville through CIEE. You will not be disappointed!