My Sevilla,
As I write this final blog, I wait for my departure to go back home. It feels as though it was only yesterday that I arrived in Spain with many scenarios going on in my head of how studying abroad in Seville, Spain would be like. My Sevilla, you did not disappoint! From the moment I landed, I felt anxious, excited and scared because you are different from what I have imagined, different from where I grew up, and spoke a different language that I don't speak very well! My Sevilla, you did not disappoint! On the first day, our school took as around your beautiful city and showed us your most price possessions, built from long ago by different people with different cultures. That is what always amazes me about you; I am at awe of how diverse you are in architecture and culture, and how after all these years you were able to preserve all that became your history. My Sevilla, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Studying abroad has been an adventure of a lifetime. You gave me an experience I will remember for the rest of my life; a different lifestyle that allowed me to explore my passion, strength, courage, and most of all goals in life. You introduced me to different people and volunteer opportunities that changed my life. With all of these, you were able to provide me with an amazing school (ICS), whose staff provided me and my peers with an unforgettable experience (e.g. cultural visits, field trips, celebrations). My Sevilla, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Before, I leave, I want to extend my gratitude for a wonderful semester filled with laughters, friendships, trips, visits, and most of all education that has gotten me closer to my academic and professional goals. You have pushed me beyond my limits and given me the strength to take more risks! Thus, when I land back home, I will tell my peers of how studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will provide you with personal, professional, and academic growth. It is because of you that I learned to be more open-minded and not to judge (but rather understand different perspectives, some of which may be far from yours). It is you that taught me to be aware of my surroundings, whilst getting lost in all that a city/country offers. It is because of you that I learned to take advantage of this opportunity to travel and meet people from around the world. It is because of you that I learned that what they say about you is not all true; you work as hard, but just find time to relax and enjoy life. My Sevilla, muchos gracias por todo! Hasta Luego! Te quiero, Jheanelle
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The academic structure at ICS is a bit different than University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UH Manoa). This semester, ICS had over 20 students in its program from different colleges in the United States. Most of us took classes at ICS, but some took classes at the University of Seville granted that their level of Spanish was good. The courses at ICS were twice a week for two hours a day (except for the accelerated Spanish courses); we did not have school on Fridays because it was saved for cultural visits and field trips.
The courses at ICS only consist of students in the program; the biggest class had approximately 15 students and the minimum was at five. Nonetheless, the courses I took were structured and organized. My professors were knowledgeable, helpful, and encouraged discussions, which allowed me and my peers to learn more and have a clear understanding of the course topics. Similarly, to UH Manoa, writing was heavily enforced as we had to write multiple papers as well as present our findings in class. The papers were intensive and required a long time to finish, but were manageable overall as long as you give yourself enough time to do them. In addition, the presentations were as challenging, followed by a question and answer portion. The midterms and final exams were arranged differently from UH Manoa, as it does not follow the same finals schedule. Midterm and final exams are two days long and are on the same time frame as regular classes. My exams were difficult and writing intensive, but my peers and I helped each other study, which made us bond more and become closer to one another. In addition, I found myself studying harder for these exams than I did back home because of the higher level of interest I had on my courses.
Today marks the official end of the semester at the International College of Seville and I could not be more happy and sad to have ended it the way my peers, the school, and I did. Semester in Seville, Spain has been more than I had hoped I'd experience, see, and learn; it is such a wonderful city and it encompasses so much of Spain's history and culture. Studying in Seville, is definitely a great way to assimilate one's self into the culture of Spain. In addition, ICS has made our experience very special and has given us more than we asked for; they provided us with great courses, brilliant and wonderful professors, fun cultural visits and field trips, caring host family, and most importantly, ICS guided us all through the semester and continues to do so after the semester has ended. Therefore, it makes me so happy to have witnessed such a wonderful program change students' lives including my own, as well as seeing students experience what Spain has to offer. Studying abroad has given me confidence and helped me develop myself. I also made friendships that I will cherish forever. However, the end of the semester made me sad as I saw the farewell party begin to breakdown its decorations and say our goodbye to one another.
As the semester ended ICS threw a farewell party celebrating a great semester with all the students, staff, and host moms present. The party came after the last day of the final exam, which was tough, but it gave us the motivation to complete the exam to the best of our abilities. Moreover, the party was very fun and the ambiance of the room was happy throughout. We also had a "My Sevilla" photo contest featuring photos students took over the semester that represent what Sevilla is to them. In addition, one of the students performed a beautiful song. Finally, as we begun to go our separate ways, we had to say goodbye to our host families who have graciously welcome us to their home. Our host family, specially our host mom was the great; she took care of me and my roommate, helped us with our Spanish speaking skills, cooked delicious meals, and gave us tips on places to visit. Furthermore, saying goodbye to her was very hard, but I know I now have a family here in Seville, Spain as well. Moreover, one of the best part of studying abroad was the courses I took because of the impact it had both on my academic, professional, and personal life. My professors were wonderful and guided me and my peers both in our academia and our lives; they taught very well and were very knowledgeable of the courses. They also gave us traveling tips and have always cared for our safety when traveling outside of Seville. My courses were hard, but manageable; I was able to gain help from my professors when needed. In addition, all my courses were interesting and gave me more reasons as to why I chose business (finance and management) as my major. Some of the projects were hard and required many hours of work, but it has definitely improved my writing skills and understanding of business. The midterm and final exams were also challenging, but manageable by studying hard. Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime and I highly recommend it for everyone. It gives you a sense of interest and courage in your everyday life. Also, it allows you to experience different cultures with your own eyes (instead of hearing or watching it from someone or somewhere else) and makes you more knowledgable about the world. Semana Santa, also known as Holy Week is one of the most important holidays in both Roman Catholicism and the province of Seville. It is a week of celebration and remembrance of the death and rise of Jesus Christ. During this time, people (in Seville) give penance by taking part in processions that can last for almost 12 hours.
Seville is known for Semana Santa and many people from across the world come to Seville to witness it. Each day, a new fraternity performs a procession; each fraternities are of different churches and have different clothing, but of the same type. With this, they also have their own floats depicting Jesus Christ and another float with the Macarena (Holy Mother), who is loved and greatly celebrated here in Seville. Semana Santa happens in the month of April (April 9-16, 2017). Fortunately, I was able to witness such incredible event that I have long dreamed of since I was a child. As a Roman Catholic who grew up in the Philippines, Semana Santa was a big event in my life and I have always wanted to see this event in places like Spain. Moreover, I was able to witness three processions, one of which was with ICS (during the ICS Holy Week Party). The processions were unbelievably beautiful. Many people in each fraternities took part in the processions; some were children and young adults. In addition, alongside an ICS staff, I was given the opportunity to give a flower to the Macarena as a procession stopped by the school. I also watched some processions at night where the floats are bright from the lit candles on the float and the candles held by the people in the processions. Also, during the processions, someone would sing from a balcony, which is arguably the most beautiful thing to hear. Finally, I was able to travel in Rome, Italy halfway through Semana Santa. Being in Rome was a dream come true and being there during Semana Santa was even a greater honor. I travelled with my childhood friend whom I have not seen for many years. We saw all the amazing sights and I was able to attend the Easter Mass given by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica. Overall, Semana Santa was a great week for me to have witnessed in the two most influential countries in the Roman Catholic religion. This was an amazing experience and I was grateful to have been part of this week. Two weeks ago, we visited the country of Morocco, specifically in the cities of Tangier, Chefchauen, and Tétouan for a weekend. The trip was both educational and fun, spent with great people and amazing and welcoming tour guides. It is definitely one of the best trips I have gone to and I would definitely go back to visit Morocco once more, if given the chance.
The trip was set-up with a help of a trip service company called, We Love Spain whose co-founder was a student from ICS, who also joined us for the trip alongside an amazing tour guide. Heading to Morocco was definitely a process, but was an experience. Since Morocco is not part of the Schengen Area, we needed our passport to get through the boarder where we had them stamped. First, we boarded a bus from Seville, to Algeciras where we took an hour-long Ferry ride to Ceuta, an autonomous city of Spain. From Ceuta, we got back on our bus and headed to Tangier, Morocco, where the border is located, thus entering the country. Morocco came as a surprise; going their, I expected a rich culture with an energetic market filled with beautifully crafted fabrics, delicious pastries, and colorful vegetables and fruits. However, it came as a shock to also see a mountainous country with diverse nature (from lakes, to trees, to rocks), and a beautiful breeze from the Mediterranean Sea. The sceneries in Morocco particularly interested me and is a big reason why I loved this trip more than I expected. In addition, Morocco offers a rich history and culture that is shown everywhere you go. Chefchaouen, also known as "The Blue Pearl" for its blue-painted buildings was definitely my favorite because of the town's serenity, color, and its people's friendliness. Being in Chefchaouen feels like being in the past; it feels surreal to have its culture and tradition play such a prominent part in the city's daily lives hundreds of years later. In addition, we were taken to a carpet co-op, where we saw beautifully hand made scarves, carpets, and other types of fabric. The highlight of the visit was the hike to a mosque where we saw the whole city's beauty. At night, we travelled to Tétouan, for a Fantasy Dinner Show where we enjoyed delicious Moroccan food and watched incredibly talented musicians and dancers perform. We also visited the city of Tétouan the next day. Tétouan is an old town and is one of Morocco's major ports on the Mediterranean Sea. There, we visited a Berber pharmacy that sells various beauty products, and tea leaves. Thereafter, we were taken to the Medina to shop and wander. Tip: Morocco is filled with merchants who sell many things, from clothing to souvenirs. However, it is important that you bargain the prices because the prices merchants tell you are not necessary the prices you can buy these things for. When buying something, make sure to bargain the prices; it is reasonable to ask for half the price they asked for and go from there. On the contrary, there is no bargaining when it comes to food or drinks; the price they ask for, is the price you have to pay. Morocco was definitely a trip to remember! It was amazing to witness a different culture and interact with other people. It is also great to visit a country whose culture is in relationship to the development and history of Spain. However, it is important to remember that similarly to all the places you may visit, be careful and be mindful of your actions. It is still unbelievable to think that I have been in Seville, Spain for the past two months. Within these months, many things have happened that created a lasting memory for myself and my peers. The program have made studying abroad such an incredible experience, thus far by taking us to numerous cultural and city visits, and field trips. So far, we have travelled to Cordoba, where we learned about the Islamic influence in Spain, Granada, and Morocco, a beautiful country located in Northern Africa that is rich in both culture and nature. Our program also took us to city visits in the Alcazar located in Seville, the Roman City of Italica, the third largest Cathedral in the world, and El Museo de Bellas Artes, where works of famous artists lay. The city visits and field trips have been fun and gave me and my peers the opportunity to learn more about Spain and cultures that have played a crucial part in the history and development of Spain. Unfortunately, with only approximately one month left in the program, we are only left with one city visit and field trip. Nevertheless, I am very excited and can't wait to attend them. In addition, the next couple of weeks are very important in Spain. Next week will be Semana Santa, a prominent religious event in the Catholic religion, specially in countries like Spain. I am very excited for this event because as a Catholic, I have dreamed of witnessing Semana Santa in another country specifically Spain. Moreover, the last week of April will be the April Feria, a one-week fair filled with dancing, drinking, and eating. Overall, the last two months have been a blast and an experience to remember. The visits, we have had have opened my eyes and taught me many things about the world we live in and how there is many things we don't see that only traveling abroad can show us. Although, it is sad to think that there is only a few weeks left in the program, I am very excited to experience them with the new friends and family I have made. Two weeks ago, our school took my peers and I to a weekend trip to the beautiful city Granada, about three hours away from Seville. Unlike other cities in Spain, Granada has a tremendous Arabic influence (until today) that can be seen in the city's culture and people. Our visit took us to the Alhambra, a beautiful and architecturally outstanding palace/fortress and the Royal Chapel of Granada where King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile are buried. The history of Granada is very interesting because it is the last city to be conquered by the Catholic kings, Ferdinand II and Isabella. In addition, Granada has diverse eateries that ranges from Spanish to Arabic food. It also has various tea houses that offer tasteful teas and colorful restaurant interiors. In addition, there are stores everywhere you go and street artists are stationed in every corner of the streets. The people are also very friendly and fun to talk to. The nightlife in Granada is also fantastic and is wide awake; lights are everywhere and the Alhambra can be seen so clearly. Granada is definitely worth the visit and I can't wait to go back! Since my arrival here in Seville, I have explored some of the city's most beautiful sceneries, architectures, and delicious eateries. I have explored the city alone, with friends, and/or through the program's well-organized excursions in and out-of Seville. Seville is home to the most beautiful parks, museums, detailed/exquisite architectures, and rich history. With all the places I have visited in Seville, my favorite so far is the Cathedral.
A few days ago, my peers and I visited the Cathedral with a guided tour by our professor. The Cathedral in Seville is the third largest church in the world and is home to the Giralda, a beautiful bell-tower overlooking the city of Seville. Through this visit, we saw all the magnificent architectural styles, which feature culturally-diversified designs from those who have settled in Seville and have impacted the city's history (e.g. Romans, Visigoths, and Muslims). One of the highlights of the visit was going up the Giralda and taking in the beauty of Seville from the top of one of the most well-known and beloved bell tower in the city. The opportunity of visiting the Cathedral was definitely incredible. Overall, the one month I have been in Seville has taught me more about the history of Spain than I have every expected. My experiences so far have been amazing and I am in awe of what I see everyday. Tip: When studying abroad, don't be hasty on leaving the city and traveling to different countries. Immerse yourself in the culture and explore because doing so will broaden your perspective and will lead you to places and/or things that you will cherish forever. Registering for courses with the Seville, Spain study abroad program is definitely different from how students register at UH Manoa. Pre-registration came before we arrived in Seville. After arriving in Seville, each students met with the school's Academic Director to finalize our course registrations. Also, we were given a week to add and/or drop courses during the first week of school. After registration at ICS, the Study Abroad Advisor will register your courses at UH Manoa.
The courses you take for the study abroad program transfer back to UH Manoa as the courses they are equivalent to. During registration, I was only granted two of the four courses I pre-registered for because these courses were no longer offered due to the insufficient number of students registered. However, after speaking to the Academic Director regarding the importance of taking these courses, I was granted an independent study. In addition, I also contacted UHM advisors to ensure the courses I am taking will transfer back as courses that will count towards my minor/majors. Tip: Never give up! Don't be afraid to ask questions and communicate well with the Academic Advisor, the Study Abroad Advisor, and UHM advisor to ensure you are registered for the courses you need and/or want. |
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