Study Abroad in Sevilla...

Located in southwest Spain, Seville, or Sevilla, is the capital of Andalusia-the most populous of the 17 regions that constitute Spain. Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain both by population (700,000+) and size and is southern Spain's economic, cultural and social hub. Famous for flamenco, bullfighting, and the picturesque Guadalquivir River that cuts through its center, Sevilla has a reputation for being "typically Spanish."

Seville offers study abroad students excellent educational opportunities. The University of Seville was founded in the late 15th century and today educates more than 60,000 students each year in a variety of disciplines. Founded in 1997, Universidad Pablo de Olavide is one of the newer public universities in Spain and has quickly established itself as an excellent institution. Many American study abroad programs give students the opportunity to take classes at these institutions alongside Spanish students.

Boasting the largest historic district in Europe, Sevilla is a great place for students studying history, art and architecture. Islamic influence is readily visible as the city held great importance during the more than 800 years of Muslim rule. The Reales Alcázar and Torre del Oro epitomize the Moorish influence on architecture in the region. Art students with a particular emphasis in Gothic and Baroque will be impressed by La Giralda, the giant tower attached to Seville's impressive cathedral. Once the highest tower in the world, La Giralda rises above all other buildings in Seville and serves as a landmark for students navigating their way through the narrow streets of Seville's historic district. Known as el Barrio Antiquo in Spanish, Seville's historic district was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), officially recognizing it as a place of great cultural significance to the world, worthy of being preserved for future generations. Seville is also the birthplace and site of the early studies of Diego Velázquez (one of Spain's most famous and influential painters) and is graced by one of Spain's finest art collections.

History students will have the opportunity to study the many phases of Seville's past: from its Tartessic origins to periods of foreign rule by Romans, Visigoths and Muslims before being re-conquered by the Spanish Catholic Kings. Traces of this rich artistic legacy can be found not only in the form of monuments, but also in countless historical documents safeguarded in museums throughout the city.

Students interested in learning flamenco or Spanish guitar will be hard-pressed to find a better setting in which to do so. Although this passionate folkloric music can be heard in other regions of Spain, Andalusia is undoubtedly its home. The first tablaos, cafés in which flamenco performances are given, opened in Seville in the 19th century.

In addition to its music, Sevilla is known for its spring festivals. Semana Santa or Holy Week lasts from Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) to Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday). It is, without doubt, one of the most important religious celebrations in all of Spain. Music, traditional costumes, and nearly sixty different processions offer students a unique perspective of Andalusian culture. La Feria de Abril or April Festival takes place two weeks later. With more than 1,000 tents filled with typical Spanish food and drink, men parading their horses through the city, women dancing sevillanas in colorful gypsy dresses, and a series of bullfights, the festival takes over the town and is an event los Sevillanos look forward to all year.

Seville's cultural vitality, historic charm, and fun-loving people set it apart from other study abroad destinations. Students studying in Seville return home with an appreciation for Spanish art, cravings for tapas, and traces of the recognizable Sevillian accent in their Spanish.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
Universidad de Sevilla: http://www-en.us.es/
Universidad Pablo de Olavide: http://www.upo.es/
City Council: http://www.sevilla.org
City Council, Official Tourism Site: http://www.turismo.sevilla.org/
The City of Sevilla, Analucia: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla.htm
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: http://www.iie.org/NSEP

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