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Sunset on the ocean City plaza view Building in Sevilla Tonya with a group of friends Building at sunset

Tonya Luna

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Tonya Luna Location: Sevilla, Spain

Time Abroad: Fall 2007

Major: Political Science and Spanish

My most memorable experience while studying abroad was making long lasting friendships with Spaniards my own age. The University where I attended school in Sevilla instituted an intercambio program between American students and Spaniard students.

My intercambio, Jose, was very helpful in showing me around the city via the experience and knowledge of a true Sevillano. Through this relationship I was able to establish friendships with even more Spaniards, who I am still in touch with today. From my new friends, I was able to get an insider's view on the Spanish culture, I learned to speak much better Spanish, and I had the time of my life while doing it! I got to live a true Spanish lifestyle, travel to a lot of amazing destinations, and be with wonderful people who enriched my Spanish speaking skills and my cultural knowledge overall. I would not trade in my study abroad experience for anything because I have made so many great friends through it, and they have opened my eyes to the world!

After studying abroad I feel so much more at ease in my Spanish classes. I can understand everything the professor says, and I can relate to the material we are learning because I experienced Spanish culture first hand. Furthermore, studying in Sevilla and traveling around Europe opened my eyes to many different cultures and peoples, and this has impacted me tremendously in my studies. I have taken on a unique global perspective that I would never would obtained if I wouldn't have lived abroad, and I think this new perspective shapes my thoughts about things everyday. I'm also a Political Science Major, and I know my worldviews on many different issues have been tested and defined through my study abroad experience. I want to become an attorney one day, and I know the experiences I had in Sevilla will help me attain this goal and do big things in the future.