CEA Study Abroad Student Blog
When I first arrived in Spain, it took a few weeks to get acclimated to the way Spanish is spoken here. The Spanish accent seemed a lot stronger to me, compared to some Latin-American accents. What’s more, the Granadino accent can be particularly thick. It definitely takes some getting used to, but after four months, I definitely understand so much better, and I have even picked up on several local sayings and expressions. Below, I share some of the most common ones and some of my favorites to…
Living in a homestay was the only housing option I was interested in when I decided to study abroad. I always pictured living in a quaint, traditional home, waking up to voices speaking an unfamiliar language, and integrating into a new and truly different family. In many ways, my experience in a homestay has panned out to be quite similar to what I imagined. Right now, I live in the center of Seville with Juan, Eloisa, and my roommate, Akhila. Our routine runs like clockwork. Our makeshift family…
In all honesty, I came to Seville on somewhat of a whim. Funnily enough, many students here have similar stories. These conversations, though, always end with a resounding agreement that we’re all so incredibly lucky our whims led us here. It’s difficult to articulate the great love I have for Seville, but here are some reasons why I feel this way. Beauty Seville is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. On my first day here, I turned to my roommate and said, “Can you believe…
“A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.” – Banksy Once home to renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, Barcelona is considered one of Europe’s greatest artistic hubs. While there was once a rich culture of urban art in Barcelona, today the city primarily maintains aspects of its artistic legacy through a diverse array of museums and galleries. Around 15 years ago, Barcelona’s city counsel initiated an effort to clean up the city by implementing…
Living with a host family is a unique cultural experience like no other. It’s one of the best ways to rapidly increase language proficiency while abroad, but there are many other benefits as well. Here I’ve listed what I’ve found to be the best perks of living in a Spanish home-stay. The people: My host family is amazing. I live with a married couple and their two adult daughters. They are all so kind, generous, and hospitable. We love telling stories and sharing laughs together. It’s really fun…
The idea of studying abroad intrigues and excites many students. Maybe you love the idea of traveling and living abroad in a bustling city but aren’t sure what the “studying” part actually looks like. I’ll give you a glimpse into what academics in Spain are really like and 6 reasons why you might like taking classes abroad better than in the U.S. Awesome professors One of the best parts of my academic experience in Spain has been the professors. Of course every prof is unique, but overall, their…
I have gone on two trips with CEA so far. Just this last week I went on a winery & vineyard tour near the city of Sitges and a few weeks ago I went on a weekend trip to Valencia, Spain. They were both such fun experiences. Valencia The trip to Valencia started out by taking a charter bus from Barcelona. It was only about four hours and the ride was super comfortable. We got to stay at a nice hotel that was all set up and planned…
One of the best parts about CEA’s Granada program is that you not only get to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture; you get to experience a new country and culture on the program’s trip to northern Morocco in the spring! Three cities, two days, and a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences – this trip was one of the most memorable weekends so far, from the incredible views, unique perspectives of each city thanks to our amazing tour guide, and of course, the food. Come to Spain for Spain,…
Where do I even start when reflecting on my abroad experience? One thing I know is that time FLEW by. I came into this experience with a few goals in mind. I wanted to make new friends, travel around Europe, and learn as much as I could about Barcelona. After these past three and a half months, I am confident in saying all of these goals have been accomplished. This experience would not have been half as good if I didn’t have such great roommates. Kristi, Luci, and…
Deciding on a study abroad city can be a difficult choice because CEA offers so many amazing cities to choose from. While every city is unique, Granada has a certain charm that makes it a special city in Spain. In this video, the onsite Granada staff explain why they love the city so much, what life is like for students, and why you should choose Granada for your study abroad experience. Anastasia K. is the Spring 2018 MOJO in Granada, Spain. She is currently a Junior studying English…