My Experience So Far In Alicante, Spain

Meet Anaya, she is studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain on our Gap Year Abroad, Spanish Language and Culture Program.

We asked Anaya to share about her experience so far on a CIEE Gap Year Abroad program.

Want to take a gap year and do something brand-new and exciting?

Want to learn a new language to better connect with the rest of the world? Want to go on a trip that creates some of the most significant and life-changing experiences you may ever have? Well, all of these things have been made possible for me in the beautiful city of Seville, Spain. My name is Anaya Warren, and this is my first blog! In this post, I will be sharing why I decided to study abroad, as well as what my experience has been like in Seville thus far.

Why did you choose to travel abroad for a semester? 

Since joining the workforce, I have realized that many of my coworkers deeply regret not taking a gap year or traveling abroad; they now feel they lack the experiences, connections, and knowledge they could have gained by traveling. I believe it is important for people to have life experience outside of their home country because it allows them to develop a more accurate view of how the world works and understand the specific differences in law, culture, and tradition. It also allows us to see each other’s humanity and find commonalities that can be celebrated to bring us together, rather than divide us. My experience in Seville has thoroughly proven this to be true, as I have sensed so much unity, love, and understanding within the community.

What differences do you see between America and Seville? 

While I had done thorough research on the city before arriving, I was still surprised at how different life in Seville is from life in America. First, many of the "cultural" foods we have in America, such as hamburgers and hot dogs, are not very common here outside of specific restaurants; many locals in Seville are not big fans of these foods, as they grew up with an entirely different flavor profile. Second, rather than extremely large streets occupied by cars and trucks all day, Seville’s central streets are small and quite walkable. They mainly allow access to small cars, bikes, motorcycles, and rentable scooters—which are much more prevalent as a result. Because of this, many people in Seville do not own cars, as nearly everything is within walking distance and it is easy and cheap to hail a taxi if necessary. Finally, it is much easier to shop, get groceries, and eat out in Seville because of how much more affordable everything is. The first time I went grocery shopping, bags of items that would have cost me over $100 in America were only around €30. Since I am only halfway through my trip, I am sure there will be more to discover, but these have been the most significant differences for me.

What has been your favorite part of the Seville experience so far? 

Within the first few days of arriving at my host family’s apartment, I felt completely at home, cared for, and accepted. Since being here, I have met some of the kindest, most amazing Sevillian host families I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. They allowed me to not only share my culture with them but also gave me the chance to indulge in theirs by teaching me their language and sharing their personal stories. Additionally, during my time as a student at the international language school in Seville, CLIC, I have met and connected with people from many different countries and backgrounds. Through learning Spanish, I have created truly meaningful friendships. As several of my friends leave Seville to return to their respective countries, I remain incredibly grateful for them and cherish every memory we've made.

I am looking toward the remaining weeks I have left in Seville with so much excitement, and I cannot wait to see what new experiences await me during and after Semana Santa. Thank you all so much for reading. ¡Hasta luego!

Thank you, Anaya, for sharing your CIEE experience! 

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