This semester I am incredibly excited to be studying abroad at Pablo de Olavide in Sevilla, Spain. I chose to study abroad in Spain mainly because my minor is Spanish and I wanted to put this to use outside of a school setting. However, I decided on Sevilla because it is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, with architecture that takes your breath away, and a romantic city center with lots of fun things to do. From tapas restaurants to Flamenco shows, it's impossible to be bored in this city.
Some of my favorite parts about this experience is being able to travel to many different countries while I am here because it is cheaper and so accessible. One of the other highlights about this place is all the amazing people I am meeting. I am incredibly lucky to be staying in a residencia with about 18 other students who all get along and spend time together. We have had “family” dinner nights in the kitchen, gone out in the city, and have helped each other navigate through life here.
Although being in Spain has been everything I wished it would be, there have been a few things I’ve had to adjust to. A difficult part about living abroad is not being able to see my family and friends back home. I miss spending time with my roommates, my dog, and my parents. It took some adjusting to not be able to call them until later in the day when they are awake, as I am six hours ahead of them. But being somewhere so beautiful with new friends has made this transition a breeze.
While here, I am taking multiple courses that are rich in cultural information and the history of Spain. I am also in a history of art class here, which has been very interesting and fun because I get to visit various museums and architectural sights. Lastly, I am taking Psychology courses for my major.
Having this opportunity has opened my eyes to how big the world is and how different every place you visit will be. Textbooks and movies can teach you a lot about different cultures and environments, but nothing compares to experiencing it yourself. Here in Spain, there are some commonalities that I was amazed by. For example, personal space does not really exist, and Spaniards often get really close to speak with you. One thing I love is the fashion here, as I can dress up without feeling overdressed.
I can’t wait to see where the rest of this semester takes me and meet more people along my journey here.
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