Universidad de Sevilla (US)

I have choosen Sevilla (Spain) to improve my knowledge, but also because it's an obligatory part of my studies.. At the beginning I had some difficulties.. because I wasn't used to speak spanish, to use it in the everyday context, but more and more I was improving it.. that was the most great experience.. to see how I was able to communicate in another language, in another city... at the beginning I didn't know anyone.. but I coped very well... :) at the end of my stay in Sevilla, I had a lot of spanish friends (I'm in contact with them!) and I wasn't afraid at all to handle all things (my everyday life, academic life..) I was able to communicate, to handle every situation!

The options for taking classes through my programs were to take large classes with international students at the University or to take smaller classes with all American students in the building next to the University. In the end, I am glad I took the smaller classes because, after talking to my friends in the other classes, I learned more and had more opportunities to participate because of the small class size (15-25 people). No matter how much I tried beforehand, I learned more once I met my boyfriend in Spain. We are still together one year later and through always speaking to him in Spanish, I have become fluent.

My experience in Sevilla, Spain was incredible -- I could not have asked for a better learning, playing, and growing environment. In fact, I loved my time in Spain so much that I am currently searching for a job in a spanish-speaking country. I desire a challenging and structured job where I can practice my Spanish, while also have the opportunity to interact with the local culture and people. I feel that my knowledge of the Spanish language (although rusty) is strong - I am able to communicate proficiently in most situations and feel at ease transferring from English to Spanish and back again.

The courses I chose to take placed me directly where I needed to be. I had taken 3 years of Spanish at the University of Texas before arriving to Spain and felt well prepared to speak and understand the language. My classes taught me to feel even more confident communicating with others which proved to be essential in Sevilla. It is hard to differentiate between the material learned in class and the matters learned outside of class. Combined, the proper grammar, the southern accent, and the slang taught me to communicate in the most effective way possible.

I encountered many difficulties, which has brought me to a higher level of Spanish. There are many aspects of this study abroad experience that have been unique. For one part, I was a bit nervous at the beginning that I was leaving off to a foreign country not knowing where I was going to stay and having to find my own way around. I arrived speaking none to very little Spanish. But now when I look back I am so happy I had to do it this way. I see many Americans and Erasmus students with groups and tour guides helping them with their every move. This HPU exchange program has brought me to a higher level of Spanish in many different ways I would not have been able to experience if not taking the opportunity.

Be warned: the Sevillan dialect is NOT easy to understand, BUT after a while you get used to it. The only way to really improve your Spanish is to get to know locals. It's not very easy, but just go to the Feria de Abril, a little chat here and there and there you go! I have some good friends in Sevilla now. People there are usually very friendly and willing to talk to strangers (that is, if you are interested yourself, and don't act like a complete tourist).