I’m riding on a bus from Seville to Cádiz, a Spanish coastal town, watching the hills pass by my window. As I stare out, I realize just how many buses I’ve boarded—and how far I’ve traveled—in the past few weeks.
Some trips were part of the study abroad program, taking us across the country—from Madrid to Córdoba, from Granada to Grazalema. Other trips happened over the weekends, when we planned our own getaways to places like Málaga and Lisbon.
With so many transformative experiences packed into this short six-week program, I’ve barely had time to gather my thoughts. I’d describe every single trip if I could—but then you’d be scrolling through this post forever!
So instead, I’ll keep it local to Seville, where we’ve been living and studying at the University of Seville. Here are three experiences that have shaped and defined my time abroad—memories I know I’ll carry with me for a long time.
No AC, No Problem: Taking Classes at the University of Seville
I remember the first time I stepped through the gates of our building, which focuses on philology studies. Unlike UT, each of the university’s buildings is spread throughout the city, and students only take classes at the building of the subject they’re pursuing. As I entered the courtyard, I felt like I was going back in time. It’s mind-blowing to watch lectures and take tests in a 16th-century building, surrounded by majestic old architecture.
It may sound nerdy, but the university and my coursework have become such a special part of my journey abroad. However, I’ve found something so meaningful in the routine of biking to class, stepping through those grand gates into the courtyard, meandering down the hallway to our little yellow-and-white classroom, exploring the campus with friends, and buying snacks at the convenience store during breaks—and doing it all again the next day.
As for classes, I have two from 3 to 7 p.m. almost every weekday. From 3 to 5 p.m., with a break in between, I take UT’s Evolution course: a packed curriculum that comes alive through hikes, visits to botanical gardens and parks, and lectures and lab tours from university researchers. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., I have a charming class on Spain, which provides an overview of its geography, political history, and culture.
The only struggle, if anything, is that because I’m in Europe, my classroom’s air conditioning system is not as powerful as UT’s. However, I became accustomed to it fairly quickly, and now it’s just an interesting aspect of the experience.
Time Slows Down: Biking Along the Guadalquivir River
Early on in the study abroad program, the coordinators took us all on a bike tour of Seville. We rode single file down the perfectly placed cycling lanes and stopped at several impressive cultural landmarks throughout the city. We even visited La Plaza de España, a plaza whose stunning architecture and walkways were featured in the Star Wars franchise.
Along the way, we turned off the road and onto a path along the Guadalquivir River, chasing its pristine ripples as it snaked through the city. Colorful old buildings and bars line either side, and kayaks dot the clear blue water. A few bridges span it, offering magnificent views on either side. It reminded me of the first time I saw the Colorado River in Austin—a rich piece of history and a beautiful natural site, only a bus ride away from UT. This added extra meaning to my introduction to the Guadalquivir.
While I enjoy the bus system, the city bikes have given me a sense of both freedom and efficiency that I don’t always feel walking around the Forty Acres. Since the bike tour, I’ve crossed the river twice—once while exploring with friends, and a second time to visit a neighborhood museum. I also bike past a small stretch of it on my way to and from class.
A few days ago, I decided to hop on a bike and ride until I couldn’t anymore. I ended up on a wide bike lane, wonderfully close to the river, enjoying the sun and breeze with other bikers, walkers, friend groups and families. It felt intimate and immersive; tiring but also deeply peaceful. Although it was initially challenging to use the bikes, now that I’ve figured out the gears and warmed up my cycling muscles, I’ve grown to love my daily bike route.
Seville From Above: Plaza de las Setas
About a 15-minute walk from campus is an expansive plaza shaded by a patterned wooden structure. I first visited the plaza when a group of us had lunch there before class. We ordered several “tapas” (small entree-style Spanish dishes) and shared them around the table.
That night, some of us took an impromptu bike ride back to the plaza. Navigation to the area was a bit tricky, so we ended up weaving through a few narrow cobblestone streets, unlike some of the larger roads near the university. It all felt so new and unique—it’s still one of my favorite rides to date. I felt a thrill when the streets opened up to the huge circle of restaurants and stores around the plaza, with the slanting wooden structure peeking out from above.
Recently, we returned in the evening and got tickets to climb to the top of the structure. You could see absolutely everything from up there—a stunning pastel sunset over a cascade of houses in shades of white and yellow, interspersed with cathedrals, towers and other feats of centuries-old architecture.
The structure lights up at night, and we saw the moment when squarish blocks of light gave the roof a soft pink glow. It was indescribably beautiful. It’s one thing to walk, bike or bus along the streets of Seville—but seeing it all from above puts this journey in a new perspective.
It’s made me realize that even though I’m on my own unique journey studying in a new country, I’m part of a much grander story. This city, and the world around me, is so much more than I imagined back in Austin. But just as different as they are, there are also landmarks and cultural aspects of great similarity.
My job in life is to recognize these things—to understand them and appreciate their beauty, nuance, complexity and significance. I honestly feel that my study abroad in Spain has given me the foundation to be more appreciative of the places I visit throughout my life. And that makes me thrilled for what my future holds.
This post was contributed by Medha Sarin, a Global Ambassador for Summer 2025. Medha is a sophomore studying abroad in Seville, Spain.
