For five weeks this summer, trade southern Canada for southern Spain and immerse yourself in the life of a city founded during the Roman Empire era.
University of Toronto’s Summer in Seville program offers students the exciting opportunity to live in and explore one of Spain’s most culturally vibrant cities, while allowing them to improve their ability to speak, write, read, and understand the Spanish language.
Immerse yourself in storied Seville, the regional capital city of Andalusia founded more than 1,000 years ago. Seville is the beating heart of southern Spain and boasts a proud heritage of bullfighting, tapas, and flamenco. Christopher Columbus’s quest for the New World began alongside the banks and quiet waters of Seville’s Guadalquivir River, which flows through the city.
In Seville, you will experience the best of both worlds as the city’s rich history is woven seamlessly into a vibrant, modern culture. With a friendly population of just under one million people, Seville offers all the activities of a city, but with the feeling of a smaller town. Seville is safe and easy to navigate via public transportation, on foot, or even with the bike-share program. It is not uncommon to see families and friends walking the streets long into the night — aided, no doubt, by the unique Spanish meal schedule!
Treasure the delight of new experiences amidst the old stone streets. Allow your studies to come to life in front of you as you take your education outside the classroom, and experience local culture and costumes firsthand while you live with a Spanish family. Learn the language, try new foods, visit the monuments, make friends, and expand your worldview… ¡ven a Sevilla!
In our parent handbook, you will find practical information about where students will be living, health and safety resources, how to keep in touch with your student and more helpful information about your student’s time abroad.
We have health and counseling services available for our students that offer assistance for any problem that could arise during their stay.
Don’t know what to pack? Here is a resource for simple packing tips!
COWA staff carefully and personally visit each host family to ensure a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment close to campus. Our team is available 24/7 to support students and assist with any issues that may arise during their stay.
In addition to visiting different historic sites around the city, there will be several mandatory trips during your time in Sevilla that will take you outside the city:
Just 20 minutes outside of Sevilla, the Roman city of Itálica gave the Roman world two emperors: Trajan and Hadrian. These days, it is an area of well-preserved Roman ruins, which include the remains of dwellings and a large amphitheater. Students will walk inside the amphitheater on the same ground where gladiator competitions took place while spectators looked on from above.
There are several beautiful beaches along Spain’s Southern coast that are a short drive away from Sevilla. If the weather allows it, we will make a day trip enjoying one of them.
Students will take a day trip to the city of Córdoba, where they will visit the city’s Jewish quarter, which includes a synagogue from the 14th century, and the Mezquita-Catedral, a unique building whose beautiful architecture and complex history illustrate the multicultural history of Andalucía.
We will take an overnight trip to visit this beautiful mountain city. Students will visit the city’s cathedral and Capilla Real, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel are buried. There will also be a tour of La Alhambra, Spain’s most famous Moorish castle, and one of the most visited monuments in Spain.
