I was very hesitant about studying abroad, I have always been a homebody and loved being around my friends and family. We traveled when I was younger, but only to surrounding states. So when my friend asked if I was going to study abroad I was puzzled by the question. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to step that far out of my comfort zone. Yet long story short, I did. I went to Seville, Spain in the Fall of 2023 with 3 other girls I knew. Spoiler it was the best four months of my life.

I arrived in Seville, Spain on September 6, 2023 filled with excitement and nerves on what this semester had to offer. After arriving and getting settled, me and my roommates all went for lunch. Two of the girls I went to Chapman with and two were random roommates. There were five of us in our apartment and there were two double rooms and one single. The city itself was gorgeous, it was warm outside but not too hot and the music and people were everywhere. The nerves slowly settled and I was in awe of this new place I got to call home for four months.

I went to school at the CEA CAPA building, this was the program I ended up studying abroad with. There were also universities there that were accessible by metro. Some of my roommates ended up going to school there. In my case my apartment was a 7 minute walk exactly from school. It was a very easy walk and the professors and advisors were extremely helpful with my first couple of weeks there. I still speak to some of them in the hopes I get to go back soon. My roommates and I became friends with the cafe owner directly around the corner from school.

We became so close that she got us all a cake for each of our birthdays. She only spoke Spanish which did encourage me to get better at my Spanish. Even though I struggled with learning the language I was still able to get around, and learn some Spanish along the way.

Then the time came to start traveling, this was probably my favorite part of my whole study abroad experience. Being able to see the world every weekend if I pleased. Which I did take full advantage of, I had my calendar out and was booking every place I knew I wanted to go. The great thing about already being in Europe, flights were crazy cheap if you planned ahead. I will say having a great weekend travel backpack will be your best friend. It was such a freeing feeling being able to travel, this was the first time in my life I felt so independent. I never thought I would be able to move to a new country, but after my time abroad all I want to do is go back.

So much so I participated in a faculty-led class this past summer and went to Japan for two weeks.

As great as it was, there were times where I missed home and Chapman, but to make it easier for myself I would plan out phone calls. This would allow me to know I would be able to talk with friends and family on a specific day and time giving me something to look forward to. I also did a travel abroad Instagram where I posted every single day I was abroad to let friends and family know what I was up to even if we couldn’t speak everyday. I also had the opportunity to meet so many other students from all different universities, that I am still in contact with today. Studying abroad is truly a life changing experience.

For anyone on the fence about studying abroad I highly recommend you take the chance and do it. There are so many pros that only you can experience for yourself if you take the chance. I still think about my time abroad and am constantly planning my next trip. This experience challenges you to grow physically and emotionally, but also mentally. I am now confidently able to do this more independently and mentally I grew so much as a person. I was able to take this mindset and everything I learned and apply it to my everyday life.

Taylor Green,

Communication Major,

Fall 2023,

Seville, Spain, CEA CAPA program.