Week 4
This week marks my final week in Seville! I can't believe how fast a month went by. This week was filled with lasts including my final exams, my last field trips, and the last couple of memories to be made with my classmates and friends. In this post I will write about my last week in Seville and about my final thoughts and reflections over my study abroad experience.
Week 4 of Classes
We began our final stretch of classes this week! I can't believe how fast it all went by and how much I have learned in such a short period of time. This week in my Spanish class we continued learning the preterit tenses and we started learning how to use the future tense. We had two days of review at the end of the week since our final exam covered everything we learned throughout the summer semester. By the end of the review sessions I felt confident with the material and ready for the test. I also spent a few hours studying for the final exam with my friends at our favorite cafe, Máscarpone, which helped me feel even more prepared for the test. We took our final exam on Friday, and it was so much easier than I expected. It covered everything we had gone over during the review sessions and it was short and simple. Overall, I really enjoyed taking this Spanish class because I learned a lot of conversational skills that were very useful when talking to my host mom and locals. It was always fun when I would use something I had learned in class in a real conversation. I truly feel that my Spanish has improved over the past month and I feel much more confident in my speaking abilities! I am so glad that the ICS employs such wonderful faculty and staff members. All of the teachers here are very knowledgeable and are passionate about helping students succeed, which helped make my time in Seville the best it could be.
This week in my culture class we only had a few days of notes since there were two field trips scheduled. In class we learned about modern Spain. We covered how minorities, immigrants, and women have shaped Spain and we also talked about Spain in the news. We had our final exam at the end of the week which was another reading quiz. It was a little difficult trying to complete the reading assignments this week because I wanted to enjoy my last couple days spending time in the city with friends. However, they weren't difficult assignments and the final exam turned out to be pretty simple. Overall, this class was very enjoyable. Judy, our professor, poured so much of herself into this class and truly cared about all of her students. She really connected with us all and made such an impact on my life. I will miss seeing her everyday and learning from the life lessons she would sprinkle into our lectures. Although I will miss her, I know that she is only a plane ride away and is always willing to catch up with her former students!
We began our final stretch of classes this week! I can't believe how fast it all went by and how much I have learned in such a short period of time. This week in my Spanish class we continued learning the preterit tenses and we started learning how to use the future tense. We had two days of review at the end of the week since our final exam covered everything we learned throughout the summer semester. By the end of the review sessions I felt confident with the material and ready for the test. I also spent a few hours studying for the final exam with my friends at our favorite cafe, Máscarpone, which helped me feel even more prepared for the test. We took our final exam on Friday, and it was so much easier than I expected. It covered everything we had gone over during the review sessions and it was short and simple. Overall, I really enjoyed taking this Spanish class because I learned a lot of conversational skills that were very useful when talking to my host mom and locals. It was always fun when I would use something I had learned in class in a real conversation. I truly feel that my Spanish has improved over the past month and I feel much more confident in my speaking abilities! I am so glad that the ICS employs such wonderful faculty and staff members. All of the teachers here are very knowledgeable and are passionate about helping students succeed, which helped make my time in Seville the best it could be.
This week in my culture class we only had a few days of notes since there were two field trips scheduled. In class we learned about modern Spain. We covered how minorities, immigrants, and women have shaped Spain and we also talked about Spain in the news. We had our final exam at the end of the week which was another reading quiz. It was a little difficult trying to complete the reading assignments this week because I wanted to enjoy my last couple days spending time in the city with friends. However, they weren't difficult assignments and the final exam turned out to be pretty simple. Overall, this class was very enjoyable. Judy, our professor, poured so much of herself into this class and truly cared about all of her students. She really connected with us all and made such an impact on my life. I will miss seeing her everyday and learning from the life lessons she would sprinkle into our lectures. Although I will miss her, I know that she is only a plane ride away and is always willing to catch up with her former students!
My class on a field trip with Professor Judy Cotter. Here, Judy is standing outside of the John Fulton Studio. John Fulton was the love of her life and also a renowned bullfighter, artist, and author!
Field Trips and Cultural Visits
This week we had our last two field trips. The first was to the old Jewish Quarters in Seville and the second was to the Archaeological Museum of Seville. I really enjoyed the trip to the Jewish Quarters. Throughout Seville's history the Jewish people have largely influenced philosophy, medicine, art and literature. We learned a lot about their contributions to Seville's history in class, so it was super interesting to walk through some of the places we talked about. The Jewish Quarters were stunning and quickly became one of my favorite places in Seville! I fell in love with the colorful walls, ceramic tiles, wrought iron balcony's and trickling fountains found throughout the neighborhood. I also loved the narrow and winding streets and how one can just let themselves get lost and discover something new each time. After the field trip Judy took our class out to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants in the Jewish Quarters. It was a great way to end an amazing field trip!
We also visited the Archaeological Museum of Seville this week. The museum is located in the Parque de María Luisa which is a short walk from the college. I've never considered myself as a "museum person". In other words, museums don't always capture my attention in the way that walking through a neighborhood would. However, I really enjoyed this visit! The museum was filled with endless sculptures, mosaics, and other artifacts from the prehistoric times up to the modern era. I really enjoyed taking a look into Spain's history through all of the artifacts. It was interesting to see how people used to live back in the day. The museum even had sculptures from Italica, an archaeological site near Seville containing Roman ruins. These sculptures date back to around 206 B.C.! I couldn't believe how much detail was put into the artwork and sculptures. I was also amazed at how well they have been preserved throughout history. The Archaeological Museum was a great way to relate what we learned in class to something tangible. It was a wonderful way to close off our field trips for the semester!
This week we had our last two field trips. The first was to the old Jewish Quarters in Seville and the second was to the Archaeological Museum of Seville. I really enjoyed the trip to the Jewish Quarters. Throughout Seville's history the Jewish people have largely influenced philosophy, medicine, art and literature. We learned a lot about their contributions to Seville's history in class, so it was super interesting to walk through some of the places we talked about. The Jewish Quarters were stunning and quickly became one of my favorite places in Seville! I fell in love with the colorful walls, ceramic tiles, wrought iron balcony's and trickling fountains found throughout the neighborhood. I also loved the narrow and winding streets and how one can just let themselves get lost and discover something new each time. After the field trip Judy took our class out to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants in the Jewish Quarters. It was a great way to end an amazing field trip!
We also visited the Archaeological Museum of Seville this week. The museum is located in the Parque de María Luisa which is a short walk from the college. I've never considered myself as a "museum person". In other words, museums don't always capture my attention in the way that walking through a neighborhood would. However, I really enjoyed this visit! The museum was filled with endless sculptures, mosaics, and other artifacts from the prehistoric times up to the modern era. I really enjoyed taking a look into Spain's history through all of the artifacts. It was interesting to see how people used to live back in the day. The museum even had sculptures from Italica, an archaeological site near Seville containing Roman ruins. These sculptures date back to around 206 B.C.! I couldn't believe how much detail was put into the artwork and sculptures. I was also amazed at how well they have been preserved throughout history. The Archaeological Museum was a great way to relate what we learned in class to something tangible. It was a wonderful way to close off our field trips for the semester!
Photos from the old Jewish Quarters and the Archaeological Museum
Week 4 Reflection
During my final week in Seville I am constantly reminded of the beauty and charm this city holds. Since I will be leaving soon I am trying to take in everything for the last time, and everywhere I go leaves me in awe of the beauty that surrounds me. I am so glad that I chose to study in this city over any other. Seville is so picturesque and holds so much charm in its city walls. From the Moorish architecture, Jewish influence, and Christian tradition; everywhere I go is a dream. This city has everything someone could dream of. The ancient castles, endless gardens, and pastel colored walls make this city unique while the horse and carriage rides in the park and the tiny cafes and bars add to the city's charisma. Seville is an absolute dream and I am so grateful I can call it home.
While the city itself is charming, the people here are also wonderful and I will miss their simple way of life. Although Seville is a large city with many things to do and see, it has a residential feel which makes it easy to get to know people. Every day on my walk to class I would see the same children heading to school, the same old couple at the cafe, and the same baristas hard at work. It was fun talking with these locals and getting to know them. It made me feel like I was a small part of Seville's population and was more than just another tourist. The baristas, shop owners, and locals were always so patient and willing to chat with new speakers like me and I will miss these daily interactions when I return home. During my time here I learned that one of the best ways to learn and practice Spanish is on the streets, and this type of interaction helped me to step outside my comfort zone and improve my Spanish. Seville is a city full of charm and beautiful people, and I know that I made the right decision studying here in Seville.
During my final week in Seville I am constantly reminded of the beauty and charm this city holds. Since I will be leaving soon I am trying to take in everything for the last time, and everywhere I go leaves me in awe of the beauty that surrounds me. I am so glad that I chose to study in this city over any other. Seville is so picturesque and holds so much charm in its city walls. From the Moorish architecture, Jewish influence, and Christian tradition; everywhere I go is a dream. This city has everything someone could dream of. The ancient castles, endless gardens, and pastel colored walls make this city unique while the horse and carriage rides in the park and the tiny cafes and bars add to the city's charisma. Seville is an absolute dream and I am so grateful I can call it home.
While the city itself is charming, the people here are also wonderful and I will miss their simple way of life. Although Seville is a large city with many things to do and see, it has a residential feel which makes it easy to get to know people. Every day on my walk to class I would see the same children heading to school, the same old couple at the cafe, and the same baristas hard at work. It was fun talking with these locals and getting to know them. It made me feel like I was a small part of Seville's population and was more than just another tourist. The baristas, shop owners, and locals were always so patient and willing to chat with new speakers like me and I will miss these daily interactions when I return home. During my time here I learned that one of the best ways to learn and practice Spanish is on the streets, and this type of interaction helped me to step outside my comfort zone and improve my Spanish. Seville is a city full of charm and beautiful people, and I know that I made the right decision studying here in Seville.
A last glimpse into the beauty that Seville holds
Final Thoughts on My Study Abroad
Throughout this blog I have been writing about all of the positives and about how wonderful everything was. However, before my departure there were many factors that made me nervous to go. Before this trip I had never been out of the country, let alone been away from home for such an extended period of time. I hadn't taken Spanish classes in over two years and I didn't know anyone else who would be going on my trip. Although I had some anxieties beforehand, I was looking for adventure and I knew that a study abroad experience would be the best way to find it. Looking back, I am so glad I decided to participate in this study abroad program. I have grown in ways I can't even describe and have learned so much throughout my classes. Everything at the ICS was perfect and well organized, and everyone was so friendly there. By continuing my Spanish classes I have realized the importance of learning another language and have made it my goal to continue learning and practicing my conversational skills when I return home. Knowing another language is so beneficial and will help me communicate with people across the world and even back in my hometown. I truly believe that my conversational skills have improved tremendously and I can confidently say that I achieved my educational goals during my time abroad.
Besides academics, studying abroad has helped me grow in my confidence in myself and in my perspective of the world around me. This trip helped me gain a lot more independence as I did a many new things on my own, such as hopping a train to another city or navigating my way around. These are essential skills that will be useful in the future, and this trip allowed me the opportunity to develop them. Most importantly, this trip helped me see that the world is not as big of a place as it seems. There are always people out there who are willing to help you, and for the most part people want you to succeed. Now that I have successfully traveled abroad, I feel more confident and eager to continue traveling to other areas of the world. I can't wait to see where the world takes me next!
Overall, I would highly recommend some type of study abroad program to all students. It could be for a couple weeks, a month, or even a semester. It doesn't matter. I would just say GO! I truly believe that studying abroad gives students more confidence in themselves and helps them develop valuable skills. It also helps students see the world in a new light. To quote my favorite book The Alchemist, "When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision. " By studying abroad, students are taken out of their comfort zone and they never know where it might lead them.
Throughout this blog I have been writing about all of the positives and about how wonderful everything was. However, before my departure there were many factors that made me nervous to go. Before this trip I had never been out of the country, let alone been away from home for such an extended period of time. I hadn't taken Spanish classes in over two years and I didn't know anyone else who would be going on my trip. Although I had some anxieties beforehand, I was looking for adventure and I knew that a study abroad experience would be the best way to find it. Looking back, I am so glad I decided to participate in this study abroad program. I have grown in ways I can't even describe and have learned so much throughout my classes. Everything at the ICS was perfect and well organized, and everyone was so friendly there. By continuing my Spanish classes I have realized the importance of learning another language and have made it my goal to continue learning and practicing my conversational skills when I return home. Knowing another language is so beneficial and will help me communicate with people across the world and even back in my hometown. I truly believe that my conversational skills have improved tremendously and I can confidently say that I achieved my educational goals during my time abroad.
Besides academics, studying abroad has helped me grow in my confidence in myself and in my perspective of the world around me. This trip helped me gain a lot more independence as I did a many new things on my own, such as hopping a train to another city or navigating my way around. These are essential skills that will be useful in the future, and this trip allowed me the opportunity to develop them. Most importantly, this trip helped me see that the world is not as big of a place as it seems. There are always people out there who are willing to help you, and for the most part people want you to succeed. Now that I have successfully traveled abroad, I feel more confident and eager to continue traveling to other areas of the world. I can't wait to see where the world takes me next!
Overall, I would highly recommend some type of study abroad program to all students. It could be for a couple weeks, a month, or even a semester. It doesn't matter. I would just say GO! I truly believe that studying abroad gives students more confidence in themselves and helps them develop valuable skills. It also helps students see the world in a new light. To quote my favorite book The Alchemist, "When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision. " By studying abroad, students are taken out of their comfort zone and they never know where it might lead them.
When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.