With a more limited portfolio of study abroad countries to choose from, Spain was an obvious choice for Ashton. Studying in Seville provided an immersive experience, allowed her to improve the Spanish-language fluency she had been working to master since middle school, and gain relevant coursework for her Spanish minor. Spain has historically been one of the most popular study abroad destinations for CU Boulder students and, while it has retained its popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashton described the experience as "drastically different" than a normal semester abroad. Her program had 8 students, rather than the 100 students the program typically sees. This intimate student cohort mirrored the American visitors Spaniards saw throughout the pandemic. Ashton and her fellow students were able to experience Seville in a way few others will ever have the opportunity. Describing this experience, Ashton said, "I saw so many places completely empty, I know the city of Sevilla better than I ever would have if I had been traveling every weekend and I made friends from all over the world during my time there. Even though in some moments it was hard not to compare my experience to others, I would do it all over again if I had the chance." 

While we all hope that the pandemic has less of a hold on our lives going forward, Ashton's experience demonstrates the continued value of an international experience and the positive impact it can have on students' undergraduate degrees. We'll leave you with Ashton's advice for students considering on studying abroad: "Lean into the fear and nervousness you have before going. It is so scary to go live somewhere completely new, especially a place where you don’t know the language, but the unknown is where the most amazing experiences come from." 

Last Updated July 2021