I’ve now been in Seville, Spain, for two weeks, and I can say it’s very different than what I expected. The culture here is rich and deep, and the history goes all the way back to the 15th century. The city itself is beautiful, with so many monuments to see. I’ve visited the Alcázar, the Cathedral, Las Setas, the river, and more—so many amazing places full of history you can actually feel.
The food in Spain is also very different from the U.S., not just in what people eat, but in how they eat. Here, people really value sitting down and enjoying their meals. Taking food to go usually isn’t even an option. Most people eat with friends or family, or they cook at home. It’s much more about slowing down and spending time together.
Outside of Seville, I’ve been to Cádiz, Granada, and even Morocco. Cádiz and Granada are similar to Seville—full of tourists, but still full of beauty and history. Morocco was a completely different experience. While I was there, I rode camels, drove ATVs in the desert, and had a Moroccan dinner right in the sand. It was wild in the best way.
This whole study abroad trip has really shown me the differences between Spanish and American culture—and even some similarities. Like, people don’t really tip here, PDA is normal, and being loud in public is common, just like in the U.S. Also, the way people cook and eat with their families is really important here.
I was nervous at first about how people would treat me as an American, but honestly, everyone has been super welcoming. The people here are open, helpful, and always willing to teach you something about Seville or help you get around. My educators have also been amazing—always there to answer our questions and guide us through everything.
I’m loving Seville and excited to see what else I discover in these last two weeks.
