Universidad de Sevilla (US)

Keep track of your money. Use your ATM to take out money or open a Spanish account. US Dollars go much further than Spanish Pesetas. Don't use travelers checks. Many places don't except them.

I had studied Spanish in high school and college but was not sufficiently prepared to live in a Spanish-speaking country. When I arrived, I struggled for 3 months to understand people and muster the courage to speak. After that, it was much easier to learn the language and take the risk of speaking to people, despite making some mistakes. Taking classes in Spanish and living with Spaniards enabled me to become fluent in the language.

Go study abroad for an academic year. 3-4 months is not enough time to get acculturated to your new environment. Once you do become more accostomed to living in another country and culture, it's time for you to leave. A year, while it may seem like a long time, is a more worthwhile investment for you and your growth.

Favorite Tapas bars were in Triana, away from the river. However, Cafe de la Prensa for coffee along the river was a favorite spot. For nightlife, Bestiario played the best hip-hop in Sevilla.

The university program initially set us up with a family. However, we lived with other American students and paid too much money for the time and place. I chose to find my own housing.