Exploring Spain and Europe
Once you have arrived in Europe, we are sure you’re going to want to travel. So you might be asking, “Is there time in my schedule to take a quick trip to Italy?” Absolutely. In addition to at least one full week of vacation time during the semester, there are normally a couple three- or four-day weekends in the schedule to allow for travel. You can check out the calendars before your departure so you know which days are vacation days.
You will discover that inter-European flights are easy to arrange and affordable. We recommend making travel plans after you’ve arrived in Spain because by then, you’ll know your new classmates and can make travel plans with them. There are also several faculty-led excursions around Spain that you will attend throughout the semester.
Traveling to Spain
Your route to Sevilla will start at a major airport of your choosing. You’ll depart the US in the afternoon, and arrive the next morning in Madrid! In Madrid there is a layover, then you’ll board a mid-day flight to Sevilla.
We do not arrange a group flight, but fear not! You come from a long line of students who have made it to Spain successfully on their own. You will receive a Travel Recommendations document specific to your semester, which recommends American Airlines/Iberia Airlines flights that will get you to Sevilla right on time. You’ll meet up with most of your peers during the layover in Madrid and take the final leg of your journey together.
Once you land in Sevilla, you’ll see the smiling Spanish staff waiting for you. You’ll be happy that your tired self won’t need to rely on Spanish signs, and instead you’ll gladly follow the staff to a huge bus infinitely more comfortable than your in-flight seat
As the staff points out all the exciting things from the windows, the bus will drop you off in pairs in front of your new homes. Your warm-hearted señoras will be eager to fill your jet-lagged body with yummy food before sending you straight to bed for a siesta.
Traveling Independently
It is not a problem if you would prefer to make your own travel arrangements. Before you depart for Spain, you will receive the name and address of your host family as well as the name of your roommate. When you arrive in Seville, just show the address to a taxi driver, and he or she will take you to your new Spanish home. Please plan to arrive and depart on the same day as the rest of the group.
Departing Seville
You will be responsible for getting to the airport in Seville for your flight home. Don’t worry—that sounds more intimidating than it actually will be. All you’ll need to do is call a taxi the day before, and by that time, speaking to a Spaniard will be no big deal. For the sake of space, we recommend asking for a minivan taxi if you’ll be riding to the airport with your roommate.