Arts Study Abroad Programs in Seville, Spain

I wanted my daughter to have lots of support when she studied abroad for high school. Seville Abroad didn’t disappoint. She had a wonderful host family. The center was a great respite from the intense immersion school provided. They had Spanish classes three times a week to pull together the language she learned at school. They did several day trips/trips and outings which helped facilitate and deepen friendships with other Seville Abroad students. She came back with so much confidence and love for Spain.

The Seville Abroad team provided the most amazing foundation for our son as a spent his sophmore year living abroad. They were all absolutely wonderful - they are excellent communicators, made our son feel so welcome and supported, and the program showcased Spain's rich history, diversity, and culture. If you are interested in living abroad as a high schooler, we can't recommend this program enough.

Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. As a low-income college student, I never thought studying abroad would be possible for me, even though spending a semester in Spain had been a dream of mine since the beginning my freshman year of high school. Before coming to college, opportunities like this felt completely out of reach. Thanks to scholarships, financial aid, and support from my university and CIEE, I was able to turn that dream into reality. Living in a homestay was one of the highlights of my experience. It gave me the opportunity to experience Spanish culture firsthand, improve my Spanish skills, and learn what daily life in Spain is really like. The academics were engaging, and the support provided by CIEE was excellent from the application through the end of the program. One challenge I faced was healthcare, since I receive a monthly medication. It was little difficult to make sure I had enough before leaving, and I ended up needing to get a dose while abroad and had to pay for it out of pocket. This created some additional stress, but the staff were supportive whenever I needed help navigating challenges like this. I also found making friends difficult at times, but this is something I have always struggled with. Even so, I was able to form a meaningful friendship during my semester abroad. Overall, studying in Seville helped me grow academically, personally, and culturally. One finally piece of advice: If you are currently an undergraduate student who thinks studying abroad is financially our of reach., don't count yourself out. I once felt the same way and I encourage you to explore your opinions. I never thought I would have the chance to do something like this, and it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.

It was a pleasure and privilege studying abroad in Sevilla. Unlike other programs, Spanish Study Abroad allowed me to be fully immersed in the culture, living with a host mother in a local part of the city, improving my Spanish, and having a myriad of opportunities to integrate myself into the culture.

Sevilla was the perfect place to study abroad! I was able to build my Spanish skills and immerse myself in the beautiful culture Sevilla has to offer. I loved my professors and host family. I felt I was able to truly experience life as a Sevillan and will be forever grateful for this opportunity!

I would highly recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend or a peer because it has been an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience for me. The program provided a great balance between academics and cultural immersion, allowing me to grow both personally and academically. Living with a host family has allowed me to practice my Spanish daily and experience the culture in a more authentic and personal way. I also really appreciate how supportive and available the CIEE staff are. Overall, this experience has helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded.

Je suis arrivée dans un pays où au début je me sentais étrangère. Très peu de relations avec les locaux comme si j’étais renfermée sur moi-même et ma culture. Pourtant, ce n’est pas ce que j’imaginais. Je m’imaginais sortir boire un verre un samedi soir. Tapear un peu, parler de tout et de rien. Ce que je faisais déjà un peu au Québec. Je cherchais une relation avec ma famille d’accueil, une ouverture de ma part, mais aussi de la leur. J’ai réussi à m’épanouir quand j’ai changé de famille. Cela a été le jour et la nuit. Ce changement m’a ouvert l’esprit et m’a permis de réellement m’encrer avec la culture. Connaître cette facette cachée dont seuls les locaux peuvent te guider à trouver le bon chemin. C’est ça que je cherchais réellement. Je suis tellement reconnaissante envers ceux qui m’ont accompagnée et qui me permettent de vivre l’expérience que je peux vivre aujourd’hui.

I did two trips to Sevilla Spain. I had a really great time and life experience. Sevilla location is an amazing that it helps to arrange trips during the weekends . ( trips like, to Morocco , Portugal and many cities in Spain or Europe) . Besides the location, Sevilla has many things to offer .It is a historical city and it has many places to visit. As well as, it is not an expensive city for life costing. It is very suitable for students/ interns budget , if I compare it to Madrid or Barcelona. Spanish institute is a great guidance, organizing and supporting that it made my two trips to the city very easygoing and enjoyable . I had internships and classes ( Spanish language class) . They were very well and organized. I learned a lot in Spanish class . Thanks for my teacher Sandra . As well as thanks to for Catherine for organizing everything. I am looking forward to come again .

I took a one week course that was 16 hours of class. The staff at Spanish Institute was incredibly nice and welcoming. They organised a few trips to get to see the city and attend cultural events like a flamenco show/class and in some regular classes there was also a focus on understanding and learning about Spanish culture which was very helpful and interesting. Would recommend this to anyone who thinks about starting to learn spanish or wants to become fluent and wants to take the next step.

Una escuela perfecta para aprender espanol y la cultura espanola. Los profesores son muy profesionales y agredables. En dos semanas aprendi mucho. No esta lejos del centro de Sevilla. La recomiendo ampliamente! A perfect school to learn Spanish and Spanish culture. The teachers are very professional and friendly. I learned a lot in just two weeks. It’s not far from the center of Seville. I highly recommend it!

Estudei por 4 meses na escola e tive uma excelente experiência. O conteúdo é dinâmico e é adaptado às necessidades do aluno, além do ambiente ser extremamente acolhedor. Outro diferencial, na minha opinião, é o ensino da história e cultura local. Sevilla é uma cidade riquíssima em cultura e a escola consegue transmitir isso perfeitamente, seja durante as classes em sala de aula, ou em campo, explorando os principais lugares da cidade junto com as professoras, compartilhando o contexto histórico. Tive a oportunidade também de debater em espanhol sobre temas da atualidade, o que foi muito enriquecedor para o meu vocabulário e também para a minha experiência de vida no geral, já que pude conhecer opiniões / pontos de vista de colegas de classe de outros países. Recomendo de olhos fechados! I studied at the school for 4 months and had an excellent experience. The content is dynamic and adapted to the student’s needs, and the environment is extremely welcoming. Another highlight, in my opinion, is the teaching of local history and culture. Seville is a city rich in culture, and the school manages to convey this perfectly, whether during classroom lessons or on field trips, exploring the main places in the city with the teachers while sharing the historical context. I also had the opportunity to debate current topics in Spanish, which was very enriching for my vocabulary and overall life experience, as I got to know the opinions and perspectives of classmates from other countries. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

I highly recommend choosing this school. They have an amazing team, everyone is very nice and welcoming. They tailor your learning to your goals and have a variety of options available from online, individual, groups or experiences that immerse you in the culture of Sevilla.

Ich habe hier einen Kurs in B1 belegt und möchte mich bei der Schule für die gesamte Organisation und Vorbereitung des Kurses und bei den Lehrern für mitreißende Stimmung bedanken, so dass ich mit viel Freude und Begeisterung hier lernen durfte. Danke :) I took a B1 course here and would like to thank the school for the entire organization and preparation of the course, and the teachers for the engaging atmosphere, which allowed me to learn here with great joy and enthusiasm. Thank you :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience studying abroad with API. It was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and expand my academic and personal horizons. Seville proved to be an ideal location for this experience—rich in history, vibrant in spirit, and full of charm. The city offered an incredible blend of food, attractions, and welcoming locals that made my time there truly memorable. Academically, the courses I took introduced me to subjects I might not have explored otherwise, such as the history of winemaking and Andalusian culture. These topics deepened my appreciation for the region and broadened my global perspective. While my overall experience was overwhelmingly positive, the housing situation presented some challenges. My accommodation was significantly smaller than other available options, and unfortunately, the building was not equipped to handle the unusually high levels of rainfall—reportedly the most Spain has experienced in over 50 years. As a result, the roof began to sag and eventually leaked through the walls and ceilings on multiple floors. The water damage led to warped floorboards and damaged built-ins. When I brought these issues to the attention of the building manager, I was told the unit had dried and no further action would be taken. Since only two weeks remained in the program, I informed API and my program advisors in hopes that the matter would be addressed for future participants. Despite this setback, my study abroad experience was incredibly rewarding, and I would strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to pursue international education. It’s an experience that fosters personal growth, cultural understanding, and lifelong memories.

This is my first time studying abroad and I am so happy I chose this program. First, the price was more affordable than anything else I found in my month of searching! I was also able to get student aid which helped so much. Also the staff were so supportive and responsive to any issue I had both before/during the program and while in Sevilla. I personally took 4 classes which I thought was perfect! I had enough time to do well in my classes and also travel all around Europe. Also, taking all of my classes in Spanish skyrocketed my fluency and understanding. The classes themselves were very manageable in content and work load and I loved all my professors. The program advisors were reaching out often which made me feel secure as well. The only issue I had was with housing and everyone was so quick to help me and make sure I was doing well. The first house I was in was not a fit for me, even though she was such a sweet host. I also had a temporary apartment for a couple weeks which I loved so much. The location was perfect. The final housing I had was as a roommate in the same house as a host and her student. This was amazing for me because I had language/ cultural immersion, student company, and independence. Every student I spoke to loved this program as well.

I would likely recommend CIEE study abroad to a friend or peer for being an amazing program that helps set you up for success throughout the semester. Whether it being academics, meeting people, or taking on abroad overall.

I have really appreciated the guidance that has been offered by the program. CIEE is located in the city center, which allows easy access to explore the city. Additionally, the staff have been very kind.

The program was well-organized and I really enjoyed my time in Sevilla! I learned so much about Spanish culture, and I think that CIEE helped facilitate this through coursework, cultural activities, etc. They were helpful and prompt with any questions I had relating to housing, schoolwork, my well-being, etc.

I would be more likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program provides opportunities to be able to afford the program (flight grants and bill appeal forms), to meet locals through activities and visits to places, and has great people as faculty.

I like to think pieces of my heart are sprinkled throughout Sevilla. A little with my host family, my professors at school, the sweet lady I’d see at church, my API coordinators. There’s a bit of me on the rooftop of my host home apartment complex, along the river where we’d picnic, at the bike rack where our group met, in the beautiful plaza, in the heart of downtown with my friends. The night before I left for my semester in Spain, our kitchen table was covered with my suitcases, carry-on bags, passport, snacks, books, and a printed copy of the layout of the airport where my layover would be. I was as prepared as possible; this was my first time flying solo, and it was to a foreign country to live with a new family who didn’t speak English and hopefully to make a few friends from a group of strangers I would be meeting. What I experienced was more than anything I could have ever hoped for or anticipated. The following four months brought innumerable incredible memories and experiences, but it also brought plenty of challenges and opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone, even right from the beginning. But I can guarantee that every minute of it was worth it, I wouldn’t change a single moment of it, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without that experience. There isn’t enough time in the world to recount every incredible experience, but so many of those memories are due to the amazing preparation and planning that went into our excursion trips through API. We experienced weekends in Granada, Cádiz, Ronda, and Lisbon. We stayed in castles, toured marketplaces, and even attended a flamenco show tucked away in a cave in the hills. With each trip was a new opportunity to encounter new people, practice the language, and just be in awe of the vast world that I felt like I was seeing for the first time. I practiced Spanish daily at home with my host mom, laughing together at each of our mispronunciations as she learned a few English words from me too. I said good morning to the woman at the grocery store I passed every morning on my way to the metro stop before school. I exchanged a new vocab word with the security guard I became friends with on the university’s campus before heading into class. Every little piece of my day became extraordinary even in the simplest ways; whether it was attending a fútbol match with seats right next to the pitch, or paying for groceries for the first time on my own, each little moment held an important value in my experience of living life in my new home. It’s hard to believe there was a time in my life before living with daily memories of Spain. Whether it’s in seeing the framed pictures in my room, going to Spanish classes, or talking to friends from my Spain program, not a day passes by without a memory crossing with it. It’s shifted over time in a natural progression. I vividly remember the first few weeks after coming back- a confusing mix of heartbreak, frustration, sadness, uncertainty, everything a human could feel at once. I remember thinking many times during my semester abroad that I figured I felt just about every emotion humanly possible throughout those months. A lot of the time, I couldn’t even figure out how to put into words all of the emotions I was feeling. The most reassuring part was having friends experiencing similar feelings who I could talk to about it as it all happened. No one had all the answers, but we were all in it together, and we continue to carry our inseparable bond from that semester. I’ve found solace in conversations and reminiscing with friends, putting together videos of life abroad, rereading journals or vlogs of moments as they happened, looking through photos, listening to music, talking to other people, keeping in touch with my host family, and continuing to write and process everything. It’s been over a year since moving to Spain, and I’m still trying to reflect and unpack it all. And truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever fully comprehend everything from that semester. I know I’ll be recognizing and realizing lessons I’ve learned from my time abroad for months and years to come, both life lessons and just ways of understanding myself better. I’m forever grateful for all the people I encountered who made my time abroad exactly as it needed to be. I’m grateful for every ‘yes’ that led to the opportunity to study abroad, and for every ‘yes’ of all the people I came to know and love.