Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Experience Ever June 22, 2026

By (Quinnipiac University) - abroad from 01/28/2026 to 05/09/2026 with

API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Universidad de Sevilla

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
By studying abroad I have been able to explore so many different perspectives of the world. I gained so many real world skills such as cooking meals everyday and navigating public transportation. I have become more confident in myself and I have been able to communicate with people better. I think it was especially beneficial to practice my Spanish because I now am able to communicate in Spanish at work at home. Definitely a worthwhile experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took 4 courses at the University of Seville which included Spanish Cuisines, Introduction to Spanish Cultural Studies, Painting in Literary Seville, and Spain’s Classical Heritage: Between History and Mythology. I thought my professors were all good. I liked taking different classes than I would be taking for my major at home.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought everyone who worked for API was incredibly supportive throughout the entire semester. They were there for anything we needed, and set up fun excursions and activities in Seville.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really enjoyed living in a student residency. I had my own room with a bathroom, and a kitchen. It was great to be in the same location as other students in my program.

* Food:

There was no food provided to me. I either had to cook my meals or go out for food. The food in Seville was delicious though and I enjoyed going grocery shopping and making my own meals during the week.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I got to experience the culture in Seville a decent amount. I would have been able to more by staying more weekends in my home city. However, the time I was there I made efforts to embrace the culture. I was able to spend time in Seville for both Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, two cultural celebrations in Spain, which I feel is when I immersed myself in the culture the most.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues while there, but the program provided us with places to go and resources if any health issues were to have come up.

* Safety:

I always felt safe in Seville, including during the day and at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the same program. I think Seville was the perfect city for what I was looking for in a study abroad experience. Studying abroad through API was awesome because they were so helpful before and during the whole experience.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My spending varied week to week, but I spent between $100-150 during the week.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would suggest checking to see how much you spent each week just so you have an idea of where you are at with money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

They encouraged us to speak to take Spanish classes if comfortable, and encouraged us to speak with locals and order our food in Spanish.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 4
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try speaking Spanish as much as you can and don't be afraid to mess up because you will get better.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Strong communication before and during the program
  • Excursions and experiences in Seville and to nearby Spanish cities
  • Getting to see places and things that I would have never seen, alongside meeting new people
* What could be improved?
  • Clear arrival instructions
  • More say in planning the timing of classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Studying abroad is different for everyone, don't compare your experience to others especially it first because it can be difficult to adjust.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'