Semester in Spain

📚️ Exalumna destacada: Danielle Rogg-Guillermo (Spring 2012) 📚️⁠ ⁠ “Hola! I graduated from John Brown University in 2014 with a degree in Spanish and Child and Family Psychology. Studying abroad in Sevilla was formational and empowering. I loved living with a host family, practicing my Spanish daily, and having freedom to travel and explore. One of the highlights of my study abroad experience was attending the Feria de Las Naciones (International Festival) and trying a new food and connecting with someone from a different culture each time! ⁠ ⁠ Since then, Spanish has been central to my personal and professional journey, taking me from teaching English in Guatemala to serving in Central and South America, to my husband’s hometown in Mexico and back to Kansas City. ⁠ ⁠ Over the last decade, I’ve worked in nonprofit program development, deeply engaging with the vibrant and thriving immigrant community here. My Spanish has invited me into spaces I otherwise would not have had the privilege of entering - it’s invited me into courtrooms, classrooms, hospital bedsides, quinceaeñeras, and even funerals. It’s a gift and honor to be invited into these spaces and connect with people from many walks of life. ⁠ ⁠ For me, the heart of learning Spanish has always been relationships. ⁠ ⁠ It’s a joy to connect with people through language. In my current role as a Scholar Advocate at Great Jobs KC with the KC Scholars program, my Spanish connects me to college students and community members doing meaningful work to support the Spanish-speaking community. I also stay connected to the community as a freelance interpreter for the Olathe School District. Spanish has been my invitation and my connection to so many opportunities! ⁠ ⁠ I encourage anyone considering learning a new language or studying abroad to go for it!”

📚️ Exalumna destacada: Ashely Nikkel (Fall 2021) 📚️ “Hola a todos, I’m Ashley Nikkel, a fall 2021 SIS alum from John Brown University. I’m currently living in the Washington, DC area where I’m in my second year working on a Master’s in Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University. Practicing peace and reconciliation involves a lot of listening, understanding new perspectives, engaging uncomfortable situations, and seeking similarities amongst differences—all skills that I practiced daily while living in Sevilla. While I don’t get to use my Spanish nearly as much as I would like, I am forever grateful for the life experience I gained in Sevilla. I once again find myself multiple time zones away from my family, living in a (HOT) walking city with no car, immersed in a culture where I don’t always feel like I belong. But, thanks to SIS, I now have a little more experience in making *home* wherever I am." #sis #semesterinspain #sevilla #globaleducation #internationaleducation

Hear from John Brown University alumni Ashley, Gabrielle and Lilly, share about their experiences studying abroad and how their time in Spain prepared them for life beyond graduation. #globaleducation #internationaleducation #crossculturalengagement #semesterinspain #spain #studyabroad

I couldn’t have said it better! The Spanish program at John Brown University not only prepared me to study abroad, it also opened the door for me to be able to use that experience beyond graduation, working for Semester in Spain 🇪🇸. A special thank you to Profe Iglesias and John Brown University for featuring the Spanish program in this edition of the Brown Bulletin and for their continued dedication to higher education.

📚️ Exalumna destacada: Amy Shifley (Spring 2016) 📚️⁠ “Fue difícil y daba miedo salir de lo seguro y empezar algo nuevo en un país nuevo. Pero SIS, la facultad, y mi “madre española” (mi anfitriona) me hicieron muy fácil la transición. Tenía la oportunidad de vivir la realidad y la vida cotidiana de una persona española, tener clases solamente en español, y estudiar gramática, literatura, y más. Fue un sueño, e inmediatamente me gustó Sevilla porque la manera de vivir fue totalmente diferente de dónde venía. El programa y esa realidad me mostró una nueva vida y una nueva vitalidad. Los profesores en la escuela me abrieron un mundo nuevo del español, España, y cultura. ¡Mis clases favoritas fueron la de gramática avanzada con Carmen, y literatura y Don Quijote con Salva! A través de mi tiempo en Sevilla, España empezó a sentir como un hogar segundo. Me gradué, y trabajé en una empresa de diseño gráfico, fotografía, y otras cosas. Tenía oportunidades de usar el español como traductora, y también formar y trabajar con nuestros empleados en México. Después de seis años, decidió dejar mi trabajo y perseguir un máster de fotografía de moda en Madrid, porque quería luchar por un sueño. Tristemente, mi escuela ha cerrado permanentemente, pero sigo acá en España para averiguar cuál es el siguiente paso. Sin la experiencia de SIS, no sé si hubiera podido estar aquí en este momento de mi vida. La experiencia fue sin par. Si alguien está considerando un estudio del extranjero, o está preocupado si es el paso correcto o no, yo se lo recomendaría cien por cien. En mi caso, esa experiencia me enseñó que hay más vida y más oportunidades fuera del camino tradicional hacía una especialización. Valió la pena escuchar a lo que me inspiró y tomar un poco de riesgo para vivir algo inolvidable. Me ayudó con la confianza personal, y tener esperanza en la vida que quiero tener.” Amy is a graduate from @georgefoxuniversity and you can check out her awesome work by visiting @amy.elizabeth.creative on Instagram. #alumni #alumnifeature #studyabroad #spanish #semesterinspain #globaleducation

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month which commemorates the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain 🇪🇸! SIS loves and celebrates Hispanic history, culture and contributions year-round, and appreciates this month dedicated to Hispanic Heritage in the States. Join us as we celebrate this month! #sis #semesterinspain #sevilla #hispanicheritage #hispanicheritagemonth

We love when our partners visit Sevilla and experience our program! Thank you to Covenant College’s Dr. Forteza for joining us and sharing about her time abroad with Covenant students! #seeyainsevilla #semesterinspain #studyabroad

📚️ Exalumna destacada: Moriah Maunu (Spring 2019) 📚️⁠ ⁠ "I attended SIS in Spring 2019 & I graduated from University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN in 2020 🎓️.⁠ ⁠ Semester in Spain really was a pivotal point in my life that propelled me forward in my Spanish language skills, but perhaps more importantly my love of the country and the bonds I formed while there. My host family was incredible, and I still visit them each time I find myself back in Sevilla. ⁠ ⁠ I didn't feel like my time in Spain was done after my semester with SIS. ⁠ ⁠ In 2021-2022, I completed a Fulbright grant as an English teaching assistant at Universidad Camilo Jose Cela in Madrid.  ⁠ ⁠ Those are two of the most important experiences I had to prepare me for medical school at Michigan State University where I'm currently a 3rd year student 🥼.⁠ ⁠ These days, I use Spanish to communicate with patients, and I don't think I would have achieved that without my time in Sevilla 🇪🇸." #alumni #alumnifeature #studyabroad #spanish #semesterinspain #globaleducation

As preparations for the upcoming academic year begin, we wanted to share our program newsletter. Read all about...  -What professors said about See ‘Ya in Sevilla, our partner visit week   -Verano Sevillano, our high school program   -How Spanish is helping SIS exalumna Anna Mares (Wheaton College) serve her community in unique ways -And more!  #semesterinspain #globaleducation #studyabroad

Did you know that Semester in Spain's logo was inspired by the Torre de Oro? To those living in Sevilla, the Torre de Oro is an instantly recognizable landmark and one that truly reflects the city's rich history. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, this iconic sight is one of many that our students get to see every time they're out exploring the city. Get started planning your semester in Spain by visiting https://lnkd.in/g2449TRd to learn more about our program or start an application. #semesterinspain #sis