Two Universities Worlds Apart

While studying in Spain I took three univeristy classes at the Universidad de Sevilla with Spanish students, Spanish professors, and a few other American or international students mixed in. In general, everything in Sevilla was much more laid back and this included the univeristy system. There was no registering for classes online or a strict seating capacity. In fact, we were given the first two weeks of classes to "try out" a bunch of classes and see which ones we preferred. The Univeristy was home to many international students, largely from America and Europe, so professors and students were used to interacting with other students still learning the language. Located in an urban setting, the different colleges were housed in separate buildings spread throughout the city, typically only a bus ride away. The location I studied at was known as the Tabacalera because the building used to function as a tobacco factory. With lecture halls around the outside of the building there were plenty of open plazas in the interior, adding a decidedly Spanish style and a fun place for students to hang out. In many ways Penn State was the complete opposite experience than the Universidad de Sevilla. As a typical American college town Happy Valley is dorms, no parents, school spirit. While in Sevilla, the University was one aspect of the students' lives but did not create their entire identity. Every day spent at the University I was able to learn through observing and interacting with my peers, quickly finding out about everything from the latest fashion to the most popoular slang.

Posted by Clare, Seville, Spain, Spring 2007