When most people think of study abroad, they initially draw up thoughts of exploring new places, traveling every single weekend, and getting acquainted to foreign settings. While these are all amazing opportunities, it sometimes seems that many people overlook one of the of the most important concepts about studying abroad: studying!
Since arriving to study abroad in Seville one month ago, I have found that every aspect of my trip has only been enriched and furthered by my academic classes. Here’s a look at my life as a student for this semester.
I am in the ‘International Business’ program in Seville, Spain, which means that my courses are divided between two different institutions. I take most of my classes at the CEA Center in the heart of the city, but I also get to travel just outside of the city to attend one class at a local Spanish university called Universidad Pablo de Olavide (or UPO for short).
The CEA Center hosts classes for every program the organization offers in Seville. At the center, I am taking three classes that contribute toward my business degree and general education courses at my home university.
My favorite course here is called “Seville: Culture, Identity and Citizenship in the City.” It has been so helpful to learn about the culture of this region and understand the local people with whom I interact every day.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, I take the metro out of the city for my one class at UPO, the local Spanish university. In contrast to the University of Seville, where many CEA students take their outside classes, UPO gives me the opportunity to escape the city and experience more of a typical "college campus" setting.
The main part of UPO’s campus is a long, covered walkway with buildings branching off of either side. Some of my classmates from California have said that it looks like many high schools in their state. Though the landscape is very different from my home university, there are still many green places to sit and work on homework just like at home.
The buildings are painted in bright pastel colors and the campus is filled with lush orange trees, sticking with the norm here in Andalusia.
My class at UPO, called “Nobel Prizes in Spanish and Latin American Literature,” is taught in English. The class is small compared to the size of room, so all of my classmates have gotten to know each other closely.
My favorite part of UPO’s campus is the ever-bright and beautiful library. It is a great space to go after class and study because of the constant availability of study spaces.
The level of academic rigor in my courses is perfectly suited for students in our situation. The professors are understanding and helpful, yet the coursework is still challenging and interesting in all of the right ways.
Traveling is great, but so is learning! So far, my academic experience in Seville has just confirmed my decision to study internationally this semester.
