Universidad Pablo de Olavide

I was at UPO for one year and I loved it! I was originally only supposed to be there for one semester, but extended it to two semesters because I had such a great time. I met so many people - other internationals through my classes, and spaniards through the activities CUI arranged. The university also offered different trips and activities, such as flamenco shows, the trip to Italica, etc. The "Spanish Tables" made it possible to meet and speak with other people from Spain - free food and great practice! The teachers are awesome, the classes were fun and the school is great! I lived with a fantastic host family, and feel like I really got to know the Spanish culture because of that.

The academic support at UPO is not that great but the location you are in for Sevilla study abroad programs is amazing. The academics are vastly different and do not even offer the ability to view your grades.

The campus of the Universidad Pablo de Olavide is located a little outside the city center, but still easily accessible by metro. In addition to the regular Spanish study program, the International Center of the university was also located here and thus our study place for the four months in Spain. The Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) offers two types of programs for international students. 1. PIU In the PIU you sit in a class with the "normal" Spanish students. Often the language of instruction is Spanish, but there are also PIU courses in English. In general, we were given the impression that the PIU program is a bit more demanding and longer than the alternative - the Hispanic Study Program. 2. Hispanic Study Program We finally decided to go with this study program. In the Hispanic Study Program, only internationals sit in a course. In our case, Americans and German colleagues from other DHBW locations. With a few exceptions, the courses offered here are in English and offer a wide range of possible lectures. In addition, the Hispanic Study is a bit shorter than the PIU- from late January to mid/late May. On our first day of study, along with all the other internationals, we were warmly welcomed by UPO staff and faculty. Afterwards, we were given a tour of the university campus and provided with organizational information such as class schedule, student ID, etc. In addition to the traditional student life, UPO also has two cafeterias, a gym and many sports facilities. Thus, there was always something to do and the time at the university could be spent well. The lecturers in Seville convinced us with their nice and personal manner and (despite this) immense expertise. We were allowed to address all lecturers by their first names and were always welcome to ask questions or clarifications. In addition, each lecturer knew the names of his students and attached great importance to the interpersonal. On the last evening, we were even able to toast with them to the completed semester! In addition to studying, leisure time should not be neglected. Therefore, we would like to conclude with some information, because leisure activities in Seville are like sand on the nearby sea. Let's start with the International Office of the UPO, which tries very hard to integrate international students at the university. In addition to weekly sports events (soccer, volleyball, etc., with internationals and locals), the CUI of the UPO regularly organizes cultural events, which serve to get a deeper insight into Andalusian life. These events include regular meetings to exchange with Spanish students (International Tables), free cinema visits, or cultural excursions (visit to an olive oil farm, trip to the ancient city of Italica, etc.). Outside of UPO, there are of course plenty of opportunities to enjoy your free time. Small getaways into the surroundings and insights into the Andalusian cuisine should not be missed. It is helpful to join the Erasmus Club (C. Pagés del Corro,137) and to interact consciously with locals (insider tips, invitations, etc.). Finally, the nightlife in Seville should not be neglected. In principle, it can be said that the Andalusian as such is usually in a celebratory mood and therefore, no matter what day of the week, you will find at least half-full locations. Especially on the weekends, the bars and clubs of the city are then particularly full and sometimes a bit crowded. If you catch a big party, you have to be content with minimal space, but the atmosphere is of course great. The dominant music genre in any big discotheques (Uhtopia, Occo, Abril), is reggaeton, a mixture of reggae, hip-hop, rap and EDM. If you are used to German clubs, you have to expect a few evenings of acclimatization here. For those who are not at all comfortable with this form of music, international bars, such as the "Bare Nostrum" are probably the place to go. Nightlife in southern Spain usually starts at 10 p.m., in the city's tapas bars, and the clubs don't wake up until around 2 a.m., which turns the German rhythm a little upside down, especially towards the beginning. But once you get used to the Spanish rhythm, you will definitely enjoy the nightlife in Seville.

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My Spanish teacher was great and so patient when teaching a bunch of elementary level Spanish speakers. My business classes were awesome and provided an amazing international viewpoint when discussing various topics. I loved playing volleyball and soccer in the clubs the university ran. Additionally, I went to choir practice twice and it was so fun singing in a different language! I would highly recommend this program. I managed to transfer 12 credits into my actual degree that weren’t just electives.

Pablo De Olavide was an awesome school. There were fantastic professors and I feel like the material really engaged me and my classmates. I had an awesome time in Spain, but the content in the classroom enriched my experience. The professors were great, and the projects they had us complete pushed me to think differently about international issues.

My study abroad experience was like a dream. There were definitely ups and downs but the ups were always longer and more memorable. I met amazing friends, went to amazing countries, and made unforgettable memories. My time at UPO was mixed as I was a little disappointed with some of the courses that I had. I also wish that there was a more effective way to integrate the abroad students and the locals. Playing soccer was a great way for me to meet and befriend new people.

I truly had the time of my life! I miss my abroad experience every single day and can’t wait until the day I can go back. From the homestay experience, to weekend excursions, to amazing teachers at the university, this program is like no other :)

My time studying at UPO and living in Sevilla was one of the greatest experiences I have been fortunate enough to partake in. I not only learned so much from my classes, but I truly had the opportunity to be fully immersed in a different culture, which allowed me to learn more about myself and the area from a local and personal perspective. I am so fortunate to have been able to study abroad in Sevilla and take classes at UPO. I recommend this program 100%.

2020 was a hell of a year to be studying abroad in Spain for an American. The situation got worse and worse with COVID-19 and finally the reports came in that Pablo de Olavide would be switching it's classes from in-person to online and the majority if not all of the American universities were obligating their students to return to the US as soon as possible. An eerie and unforgettable week in mid-march and one that would change the course of the 2020 spring semester. I was heartened by my professors' positive attitudes and their efforts to assuage our fears as we made the abrupt transition to online classes. I was grateful that my professors put our wellbeing first and as the transition came at the time of midterms, allowed us a couple extra weeks to get settled and then finish the exams/projects. Not surprisingly my professors adapted differently to the complicated situation, some better than others. But generally, if the teacher was good before the transition, that quality transferred over to their online classes. I was challenged by my online classes and had to put in quite a few hours a week in order to finish the homework and projects, which was good for my learning of the subject matter and particularly for my continued growth in my ability to speak Spanish (all my classes were in Spanish). My teachers were generally timely with their communication, assigned interesting material to study and were creative with the projects we had to do. My overall experience with UPO was very positive and I have no doubts that by having time to prepare an online curriculum for next year they will provide an excellent educational experience. The Hispanic Studies program coordinators took very good care of me and my teachers were very high quality. Sevilla has an amazingly rich history and culture and so I especially recommend courses that delve into that subject matter. Even if it might be complicated to travel to Sevilla at the moment, it will undoubtedly become less so in the future and UPO provides an educational experience that accompanies time spent in Sevilla like a cold cervecita accompanies a plate of tortitas de camarones.

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Sevilla, Spain is a city of art and architecture, and at UPO it’s possible to learn about the history of the art and the city which has been influenced by many diverse cultures. I learned about the Roman and Muslim influences on the city and its stunning architecture. I also studied the culture of Spain which varies greatly depending on the geographical location. The professors were wonderful, interesting and fun. I’m so grateful for my experience at UPO and I recommend this program without reservation.

Though my study abroad experience was cut short, the two months I spent in Sevilla were amazing. The API and UPO coordinators were very helpful and always available to assist me in any needs/questions I had. I would definitely recommend this program.

UPO enhanced my experience from studying abroad. My professors were very understanding of my priorities while still delivering engaging lectures. One of my favorite memories from UPO was when I was waiting with friends (that I met through the program) for our next class. We decided to sit at one of the picnic tables and were able to observe the daily lives of the many Spanish students. Observing their lives and comparing it to mine made me realize the importance to slow down and enjoy the small moments.

Though the duration in Spain was very short, it was great fun. The academics were well put, I really learned a lot! It was great being in a different city and learning about cultures and experiences.

Professor Ruben was one of the best professors I ever had and completely changed my opinion on learning abroad.

Studying abroad was the best 4 months of my life. I wish I would be able to go again but I treasure the memories I had in Spain. The people I met and teachers I had were amazing! I Learned so much about the culture of Europe and I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity. I made friends that will last a lifetime from being abroad and wouldn’t trade that for anything.

I great time studying abroad at Pablo de Olavide in Seville. All of my professors were great. The class size ranged from 10-20 students, which made for a really enjoyable academic experience. Seville is a wonderful city with thousands of years of history to explore. You will fall in love with the city. It is beautiful. I felt safe in most places, and it was very easy to get around the city because of the metro and good sidewalks. The local airport, bus stations, and train terminal make it really easy to travel elsewhere on the breaks from school. The food was delicious and really affordable. Seville is close to the coast, so you will be eating a lot of seafood. Seville is a very athletic city. Soccer and running are very popular. There are multiple great parks to spend time outdoors and enjoy. The city has golf courses, great gyms, and even a crew club. I would highly recommend studying a Pablo de Olavide in Seville. You won't regret it.

I think studying abroad in Sevilla is a great idea, if you are a city person. I had a very hard time in this area, but I am not used to the city and through this experience I learned I should not live in a city long-term. Despite my negative feelings about cities in general, I feel Sevilla has a lot to offer and a wonderful culture to immerse yourself in. Apart from Sevilla, I do not think Universidad Pablo de Olavide is a good university to study abroad at. The process of choosing classes is confusing and stressful, and you are not guaranteed to get every class you need, which can be very difficult as studying abroad can already put you behind in credits. The facilities hear are lacking as well. The bathrooms were rarely clean, had toilet paper, soap, or paper towels (when hand dryers weren't an option in the bathroom, the paper towel dispensary seemed to always be empty). The library seemed to always have at least one bird in it. I think the language courses taught to the international students is one of the redeeming qualities of studying at UPO. I had the best Spanish Language teacher I have ever had and learned so much from her, I highly recommend taking a language course here! However, other courses seemed to lack structure and instruction. I had no idea what my grades were in any of my classes during the whole semester, and with finals creeping up, that is a very stressful feeling. There was an Intercambio Program, where you could meet a Spanish student and speak with them in order to learn the language, but I never had the opportunity to meet my intercambio so I cannot attest to this program. All in all, I would not suggest studying at UPO.

Had a great time and met some lifelong friends. Spain was a great location both offering SO MUCH within the country to see and a central place to explore the neighboring countries as well. University was different, the classes sized were really small so the student / professor relationship was much stronger than anything I have ever had. All of my professors cared both about your progress and your experience, asking questions about your weekends and personal life and sharing stories of their own. I lived in a homestay and that was amazing, although I think it takes a certain personality to enjoy it, I no many others who did not have the same positive experience as me. It is invasive in every aspect of your life, but it is also an opportunity to practise speaking and try authentic Spanish food. overall great experience and would do it all over again in a heart beat. Additionally the Centro Internacional de Estudiantes was fully supportive and organized lots of free or really cheap activities and field trips!

Some of my most memorable experiences happened just exploring the city and were spent with Spanish students I had met at UPO. I chose my program because it is affiliated with my university in the states more specifically than others. It was one of the only places to take the classes I needed (ex science based classes) as well as study in another country that speaks another language. Living with a host mother was beneficial in learning the in and outs of the city, how everything works and the cultural norms of the people. I lived with one woman as well as another student from the United States in an apartment close to the center of the city.

The program at UPO are dedicated to do whatever they can to make your experience memorable. The staff at the CUI are helpful in whatever you could possibly need in your transition to living in a different country as well as your schoolwork. The living conditions were great, I lived with a host mom who only spoke Spanish and one other student. Although I didn't speak much Spanish when I arrived, it was helpful to be completely immersed in the language and have to try to communicate in the language. There were also trips led by the Pablo de Olavide staff for international students that usually included small cities outside of Sevilla. The CUI staff also offers an intercambio program that matches english speaking students with spanish speaking students in order to promote the exchange of language learning. This was very helpful in meeting native spanish speakers and I actually met a lot of my friends through this program. Overall the international center at Pablo de Olavide was extremely helpful in making my study abroad experience the best it could be.