Studying abroad is an amazing experience in itself: a new culture, language, food, traditions, and so much more. Every moment brings something special, but there are definitely times that stand out as something you’ll remember forever. Here are some of mine.
A Foggy Day In Aracena, Spain
A day trip to Aracena was the perfect way to spend a weekend with no big plans. Aracena is a quaint, adorable city that’s not a super touristy spot, so you likely can see the attractions with few to no people. It’s a short drive from Sevilla, but with so much to offer and see.
This photo was taken climbing up to El Castillo de Aracena, where you could still see the city from the top of the hill and take it all in.
The Statue of David
No one can prepare you for how tall David really is…or at least I didn’t know. I came to Florence, Italy, closer to the end of my study abroad experience, and after seeing so many sculptures and paintings, I was expecting David to be around the same size.
The grand size and intricate details from head to toe were super cool. I immediately realized why this has become such a staple in art history and a large symbol in the world of art.
El Palacio Real de Madrid
El Palacio Real de Madrid was hard to believe was, well, real. Even looking back at the picture I took, it almost looks like a painting. Seeing the palace lit against a clear night sky was awe inspiring. The reflection in the water allowed you to see every detail, and I honestly could have sat and stared for hours.
Portugal’s Chapel of Bones
Walking in the chapel was a little eerie, knowing that thousands of human skeletons made up the room. But it was nothing like what I expected it to be. Once you get past the initial shock factor, it was fascinating to see how everything, even the support columns, were built from bones.
Trevi Fountain
For me, the Trevi Fountain is one of those things that pictures don’t do justice. As I was walking up to it, I noticed the street progressively got more and more crowded; even though the fountain is massive, you can’t see it until you fully turn the corner.
It was such cool experience to check off of my bucket list. You may call it a coincidence, but the wish I made did come true two days later!
The Mole in Turin, Italy
Turin, Italy, wasn’t a city I had personally heard of until an old friend who had just moved there invited me to visit. It’s a grand city with a small-town feel. Lit up at night, the famous Mole’s glow falls over the whole city.
Also in Turin, Monte de Capuccini offered an incredible view of the entire city from above. Not sure if it was the view or the hike up, but it was definitely a breathtaking experience.
The Plaza de España
My first day in Sevilla, I decided to go to the Plaza de España. Capturing this photo still brings back the pure excitement for the semester I had ahead of me. This was the beginning of my journey.
It’s now something that I’ve now seen a thousand times, but it remains so special to my heart. The plaza is a staple of Sevilla and of my study abroad experience.
Jason Hines is a student at the University of Tampa and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. He is studying with ISA in Seville, Spain.