My 19 year old daughter is planning a spain semester and likes the program in seville but the idea of living in barcelona. Any thoughts? Thanks! Jeri

Hmmmm, let me see, I'm 19, would I prefer to party in Barcelona or study in Sevilla. It all depends what you want her to get out of her semester abroad.

Shouldn't you, at least, consider the best school offering the best program for the field that your daughter will be studying on?

uuummmmm... last i looked there was plenty of partying in sevilla as well buongiorno.

rosexmke, as long as the program is quality, she should go to sevilla. there she will avoid the distraction of the catalan language and can concentrate on learning spanish (even if it is andalusian spanish "chiquilla"

saludos,
jer...

I suspect since you are supplying the money then you get a certain amount of say-so on this and I am sure you want to do what you feel is the best for your daughter.

Perhaps that best is helping her realize, early on, that choices have to be made. Realistically, do the programs differ that greatly? Is it really that advantageous to study whatever it is in Spain vs. elsewhere?
If she likes the Seville program that will probably endure long after the novelty of living in Barcelona might wear off. Helping her consider that possibility is your challenge now.

Thanks for the parenting advice - lol - am trying to gather information on seville as a city, or other study experiences others have had.

I actually studied in Oviedo (in asturias) in 2001 (and I was 19 then ) and while there visited Sevilla. It was my favorite place that I was able to visit. It is beautiful with a lot of culture and many things nearby to do and see. Unfortunately I have not been to Barcelona so can not give an opinion on that as of yet. I will be there in June though (for 1 day!) Is she going to go this coming fall? I visited Sevilla in the spring and so was able to see the semana santa parade.
By the way, Jeri never said she was paying for the trip! My parents did not pay for mine!

For a study semester, I would choose Sevilla. Hands down. Even is she is not going specifically to study Spanish, Spanish is a much more universal language and it will serve her in many different travel options and ways as an adult. And, she'll no doubt learn the language quite well while she's there. Catalan is spoken in such a small corner of the world and will not benefit her like Spanish would.

I have been to Barcelona and Sevilla. We spent a week in Barcelona during February this year and 4 days in Sevilla. Both places would provide plenty of opportunity for adventure and a terrific, safe environment. If you'd like, you can search under my screen name and read our lengthy trip report. We have posted our Barcelona experience so far and are working on Sevilla now.

One thing to keep in mind: Barcelona is quite spread out and has a very easy Metro system. Sevilla seems more compact and there is no Metro. In Sevilla she would walk and use the bus system.

Since she likes the program in Sevilla, I'd go with the program there. The idea of living in Barcelona could perhaps be satisfied with a vacation before/after or during her studies. There are really inexpensive flights between Barcelona and Sevilla. She could perhaps have the best of both worlds.

I think it's wonderful for youth to see and explore the world. Congratulations to you for raising a daughter who is open to such an experience. It will pay great dividends for her.

You might talk with her and find out just what it is about the living experience of Barcelona that is so attractive to her. It might be that the same sort of experience could be found in Sevilla. (I hope that doesn't sound too much like parenting advice.) I just think that oftentimes at any age, just talking through something helps to chrystalize your thoughts. I hope she has a splendid time!

Please post back and let us know what she decides and then again later so we can all learn from her experiences.

Hello Rosexmke,

As a 42 year working mother with a family now I can say that the best thing I ever did was take my junior abroad to Spain in 1981. I was a Spanish major anyways so I kind of HAD to do it....but would do again in a heartbeat. The program was in Valencia and I enjoyed living in the city for the year. For your daughter she will learn regardless if she lands in Barcelona or Sevilla. My suggestions would be to 1. Live with a family 2. Stay the whole year, as she will just be getting her Spanish up to speed and it's time to go home 3. Take the time between semesters to travel Europe or after the one semester. If I had a choice I would probably choose Sevilla. Jer made a good point regarding Barcelona. Buena Suerte! She will have a GREAT TIME.

I struggled with the very same problem when deciding where to study last fall. Both cities are wonderful but complete opposites and no matter where she goes she will have the time of her life. I would suggest thinking about what exactly she wants out of her experience. If learning the language, getting to know traditional spanish culture, and living in a small more intimate city are what she wants then sevilla is probably better for her. If she wants to live in a very exciting european city, with tons of culture and museums as well as the potential to travel very easily around europe then Barcelona may be better. I chose to go to Barcelona and it was perfect for me. There is often the concern about the catalan language being a problem in Barcelona. The truth is that catalan is used but everyone there can speak spanish and my skill in the language improved a lot.

..Does her school have a junior year abroad that would allow her to stay for the year -ie 2 semesters? I only ask as from my humble experience the learning curve is exponential and the first month or 2 are an adjustment period..Second the idea about living with a spanish family unless you can find a dorm or appt to share with spanish speaking students.

time of year? interest in purity of language???

would you send a german to study english to biloxi mississipi in august?

the purist castillian accents are in the center north , north west of madrid.. valladolid.. salamanca.

however, so many of the people going on these programs really are not that interested in more than the travel aspect.. so..
depending on priorities.. good advice has been given.

both barcelona and sevilla are fabulous cities whether you are studying or touring. weather can be severe in both.

however.. if language is important i would reconsider all choices and look to visit those two cities as tourist.. not student.

I have to applaud and echo the comments of SharonNRayMc and LaMaravilla.

I studied for a year in Madrid in 1985. I would encourage you to explore the option of 2 semesters; the adjustment and learning curve are very real issues. If not, a semester is better than nothing. Now one caveat: Beware! If she loves it -- and she probably will -- she will never quite get it out of her blood. I am completely in love with Madrid. I cry when I see photos of the city. After my year in 1985 I moved back to Madrid for a year in 1989, somehow managed to find a summer program there during Law school, spent my house down payment money on another trip in 1996, conceived my second child (we had a house by then) on a trip in 1999, went back on a whim last spring and, what the hell it's the summer of my 40th birthday and my 10th wedding anniversary, we're heading back in May.

Whatever you two decide and where ever she ends up, you must promise yourself to travel over while she's there. I have tremendously strong and sweet memories of traveling with my parents at the end of my jr.yr abroad.

For what it's worth, I would probably pick the Sevilla program and plan to spend a decent amount of time in Barcelona.

Be sure to rent the movie L'Auberge Espagnol (although it will certainly convince you to do the Barcelona program.)