Every student arrives at their study abroad program with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. There’s a new city to explore, new routines to learn, and for some students, a new language to use every day.
For Norwich University senior Eric Barbosa, those experiences quickly became the highlights of his semester in Seville, Spain.
Choosing Spain for Language Immersion
As a Spanish and criminal justice double major, Eric wanted an experience that would help him strengthen his language skills beyond the classroom. Through API’s Multidisciplinary Studies program at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, he lived with a host family and took courses in English and Spanish.
As he settled into daily life in Seville, conversations with his host family and local residents helped him become more comfortable speaking Spanish.
“I was nervous about communicating entirely in Spanish, but living with my host mother and interacting with locals helped me become much more confident.” — Eric Barbosa, quoted by Norwich University
Small Moments That Made a Big Difference
One of Eric’s biggest milestones came when he realized he could carry on conversations in Spanish without mentally translating each sentence first. His translation coursework also gave him a deeper appreciation for how language and culture are connected, showing that communication depends on context as much as vocabulary.
Outside the classroom, weekends spent traveling with friends added another layer to the experience, creating memories that complemented everything he was learning in Seville.
Lessons That Last Beyond Graduation
Reflecting on his semester abroad, Eric shared that the experience “pushed me to grow in ways I never expected,” helping him become “more independent, adaptable, and confident in unfamiliar situations.”
His story is one that many students can relate to. Studying abroad often begins with stepping outside your comfort zone, but it can lead to new skills, meaningful relationships, and a perspective that stays with you long after you return home.
Whether you’re hoping to improve a language, prepare for an international career, or simply experience life in a new place, Eric’s journey is a reminder that some of the biggest moments of growth happen in the everyday experiences abroad.
Read the original story: A Semester in Seville: Eric Barbosa ’27, published by Norwich University. Quotes reproduced from Norwich University’s profile of Eric Barbosa.
