The most amazing semester of my life Past Review

Everyone told me that studying abroad would change my life. It’s not that I didn’t believe them; I just truly didn’t understand the impact this experience would have on me. My experience would not have gone as smoothly or been as incredible without the kindness of the staff at SAIIE. They were there to help us every step of the way, and made sure that we got everything we wanted out of our study abroad experience. Not only did I get to practice my Spanish skills with my amazing host mom Charo, but I also had the opportunity to get to know some native Sevillaños through our intercambio program. I took 4 out of my 5 classes in Spanish, and had the chance to meet some amazing professors whose relationship with their students goes far beyond the classroom. I had the opportunity to see and experience first- hand some of the most famous cultural events to occur in Sevilla (Semana Santa and Feria). I had the opportunity to travel throughout Spain as well as to Portugal and Morocco with my fellow classmates, strangers that quickly turned into family. But even more valuable than the lessons I learned inside the classroom were the lessons I learned outside the classroom. I learned that people are people; you can grow up across the world from each other, speak different languages, and have different cultures and beliefs, but we are all connected in one way or another. Whether it be a shared love for the same futbol team, or love for the same beautiful city, we can all find the similarities that bond us together despite our differences. Most importantly, I learned that “home” becomes more than just a word, and means so much more than where you live. It is the feeling you get when you are in a place that has captured your heart, somewhere that makes you feel happy, safe, free, and alive. Even if I never return to Sevilla again (which is unlikely), Sevilla will always be my home. Even though leaving Sevilla was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, I am so lucky to have had something special enough to make saying goodbye so hard. Anyone who is lucky enough to be able to go to Sevilla through this program should definitely take advantage of it, because it was the most amazing study abroad experience I could have ever hoped for.