CEA Study Abroad in Seville, Spain

I studied abroad with CEA in Seville, Spain in fall 2019. Having never even been outside the country before, I wasn't sure quite what to expect, but this program exceeded my every expectation. The staff is so supportive and really takes the time to get to know students. Academics were very relevant to local life in Seville as well as my major (strategic communication) and minors (Spanish & video). I visited so many cool places and emerged with new friends & a broadened perspective of the world!!!

CEA Study Abroad is an incredible company. The whole process - from applying to the program, to arriving and finally leaving - was seamless. The staff is incredibly supportive, helpful and kind. The building was beautiful, and in an incredible location near the center of the city. My classes at CEA we’re both interesting and reasonable. I felt like I learned loads of useful information in them, but I never felt overwhelmed with school work. I felt safe and supported during my entire stay in Spain. Thanks CEA!

I believe that everyone's study abroad experience is unique, and no matter what program you go through, the fate of your enjoyment relies on your willingness to be open-minded and step out of your comfort zone. However, CEA provided every necessary resource in order to create the ideal study abroad experience. From flamenco dance lessons, to self-defense classes, to connecting with local intercambio students, CEA went above and beyond to create a unique, enjoyable, and comfortable environment. Soaking in the local culture by exploring historical sites, such as the Cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar, Archivo de Indias, etc., is a great way to delve into the historical world of this city, while actively participating in the renowned "Feria de Abril" in Seville expands your perspective of dance and music, allowing you to explore a whole new cultural experience. Overall, as a result of studying abroad with CEA in Seville, my perspective on the world has broadened, and I see life from a worldly viewpoint instead of my narrowed, small-town mindset.

This semester was the best time of my life. I chose Seville on a whim, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Seville is a perfect medium-sized city so it's easy to get around and get familiar with most of it, but there are always new things to do and see. You won't get bored--even just walking around the old, gorgeous streets. I found that once I made Seville my home for the semester, most of the cities I would visit in Spain and Europe rarely compared to the vibrancy and culture of Seville.

The program with CEA in Seville is also the perfect size. Unlike other programs, you get to know your staff/advisors well and you form close bonds with the other students because there aren't too many of you. The housing was great; I chose the Casa de Sevilla option and it was perfect). CEA's facilities are so beautiful and in the perfect location in the city.

If you are interested in coming to study in Sevilla, I would definitely recommend trying to do so in the spring. During this time the city hosts its two largest events of the year: Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. These were honestly my favorite part of experiencing the culture.

I wouldn't change a thing about this semester and I would HIGHLY recommend it to others.

Frankly, the main reason I chose CEA in Sevilla was the cost. I knew that I wanted to study in a Spanish-speaking city, and didn't really have a preference of which one. Additionally, I wanted a place that would be easy to travel from. Sevilla met all these expectations, and CEA was so reasonably priced, so I decided to go for it!

I absolutely fell in love with the city and culture. I absolutely adored my time in the heart of Andalusia, and already want to return. Sevilla is such an easily walkable place, which makes exploring fun and easy. The natural and manmade beauty can not be overstated. I made some amazing, lifelong friends through CEA and was able to learn so much about the city and country I was living in at the University of Sevilla and the CEA center. The CEA excursions were very well organized and allowed us to thoroughly enjoy Lisbon, Cordoba, and Granada.

As the song says, Sevilla tiene un color especial.

My study abroad experience in Sevilla was absolutely amazing. I studied abroad for the entire spring semester in 2017. Not only was the city breathtaking, but the support from the staff at CEA is something that I felt really set them apart. During the application process, while you're there, and even your experience is over, the staff members are there to help with any guidance you may need. They have no issues helping you with problems related to school, housing, or travel. The excursions that are included in the program fees are a perfect blend of historical and fun. There are plenty of group activities, but also time for you to explore on your own. They also offer a lot of different activities throughout the city, such as a bullfight, a cooking class, and intercambios, which gives you an opportunity to meet some of the locals that want to learn English! I would highly recommend this program to anyone thinking about studying abroad!

Choosing to study in Seville was quite easy for me. I grew up hearing stories about the labyrinthine streets and unchallenged beauty of the city from my family, who spent almost every summer there. I was able to walk the same streets my grandfather grew up on and make memories of my own.

I had the amazing opportunity to share my connection to Seville and several other stories as CEA’s Mobile Journalist (MOJO) for Seville during the Spring 2017 semester. A friend of mine had previously been a MOJO for CEA in Aix-en-Provence and recommended I study with them, and it was definitely the right choice!

The academics in Seville were a bit confusing at first and were not well-explained on their website or by staff. Some courses I wanted were canceled or were changed which was a bit of a disappointment, however, I thoroughly enjoyed all the courses I ended up taking and thankfully my major (International Studies) was incredibly flexible. Surprisingly my classes at the University of Seville (USS) were much easier than those at the CEA campus. I did feel a bit under-stimulated with my courses at USS, but that gave me more time to explore the city and to travel throughout Europe.

I was very lucky to have an amazing apartment, just a ten-minute walk to USS and the CEA campus. I heard from some year-long students that their previous apartments were not as nice, so it must be quite random which type of apartment you will be placed in. I enjoyed the freedom that came along with apartment living, especially since I am quite independent.

Overall, I had an amazing semester in Seville and hope to spend more time in the city in the near future. My one piece of advice for any prospective student in Seville would be to get out of your comfort zone and strive to meet locals and other international students; with the structure of CEA it is too easy to be surrounded by only other Americans, but you’ll have a more fulfilling time if you break out of that circle.

I was a little nervous to leave the comfort of the United States and study abroad. I didn't know anyone that was going to the same location as me, let alone was in the same program. Since arriving here, CEA has been completely accommodating and helpful. We opened the program with a couple days of orientation where we were given guided tours of our neighborhoods and allowed to mingle with the other students. I was hoping to make new friends to travel with, and I think the structure of these first few days were extremely conducive for this. I have loved my different professors at both the CEA center and EUSA. While the program is mainly made up of American students, CEA has allowed me ample opportunity to meet locals and students from other parts of the world. I also absolutely love Seville. There are so many opportunities to practice speaking Spanish and to learn about Spanish culture. It feels really safe and clean. I would recommend this program 100 times over.