CIEE-Seville: Liberal Arts

The program is open to any Purdue undergraduate student who has reached sophomore standing (completed two full semesters of university) by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity and a desire to experience another culture.

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

The Liberal Arts program is located in the humanities faculty of the University of Sevilla. After a three-week intensive language course, students enroll in four courses taught in Spanish. Students earn between 15-18 credits.

In addition to a range of courses offered by CIEE, students can enroll directly in courses at any of the schools at Universidad de Sevilla or Universidad Pablo de Olavide. From art history to service-learning, there’s plenty to inspire you. Prior to departure for Seville, all students take a scheduled CIEE online placement exam. Results determine appropriate placement in language courses. Placement in many upper-level courses depends on a high score.

All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.

Please see the CIEE website for more course information. 

Due to COVID-19, excursions are subject to change.

• Join in Flamenco lessons, take a bike tour, participate in language exchanges with Spanish university students, practice new sports in the Guadalquivir river, and more, with new local friends. New activities are offered all the time throughout the semester.
• Join a group that matches your interests – sports, environment, food and wine, etc. Groups include Spanish students, meet throughout the semester, etc.
• Get an insider’s view of iconic places like Parque de María Luisa, Plaza de España, Catedral de Sevilla, Archivo de Indias, Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes, and many more amazing locations spread all around the city.
• Participate in excursions to other Spanish cities in the region of Andalucía. In the past, students have travelled to cities such as Córdoba, Cádiz, Malaga, Jerez, etc.
• Explore and step back centuries in time with a tour of Roman ruins in Italica or the medieval city of Carmona.

Most students choose to live with a Spanish family. Although homestays are generally limited to one student per household, we can usually accommodate requests to be placed with another student. Each student will have his/her own bedroom, and weekly cleaning, laundry and Wi-Fi are provided. Students usually walk or ride rented bikes but may also take public transportation. Average commute to classes is 20-30 minutes maximum.Three meals per day are provided by the host.

Students may also choose to live in a residence hall with other Spanish and international students. Participants are placed in small studio apartments. Each studio apartment has two individual rooms and a shared bathroom and kitchen. Residence Halls have study rooms, meeting common spaces, tv rooms, cinema room, laundry, gym, swimming pool, and many more services. Students should expect a 20-30 minutes walking commute. Meals are not provided. Students have access to the studio apartment kitchens.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Fall 2022

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

After paying the study abroad deposit, applicants will need to complete a program application which will be forwarded to the head office of CIEE. Students will be notified directly by CIEE about their acceptance into the program.

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Program Sponsor's Home Page: CIEE
• Program Website
• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find Spain in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find Spain in list)