糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Student Gains Global Perspective During Semester Abroad in Spain
A 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student spent the spring semester immersed in Spanish culture, where she gained experiences and life skills that she says will help her in any future career path.
Sofia Villegas, a junior management major from Cabot and a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, studied at the University of Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain, during the spring 2025 semester, through International Studies Abroad. She took courses in international business, intercultural management, international marketing, and Spanish language.
鈥淢y favorite part was becoming a local,鈥� Villegas said. 鈥淏y the end of my time in Sevilla, my day flowed. I was no longer seen as a tourist but as someone who knew their way around. I even got to the point where I was complaining about tourists interrupting the peace.鈥�
She grew to love the city鈥檚 rhythm, especially afternoons spent in Maria Luisa Park, her favorite spot to study or relax after class.
鈥淪evilla is a much larger city than Little Rock, yet when I was in the park I felt as if I was in the countryside,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving that space and peace in the middle of a busy city was amazing and I loved it.鈥�
Villegas said the experience taught her valuable lessons about adapting to new environments and navigating cultural differences. These are skills she believes will serve her well in her future career.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 world, no matter what career field you are in, adaptation is extremely important,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing thrown into Sevilla, I was forced to learn how to adapt. My entire environment changed, and I was by myself. I had to learn to network and adapt to the environment I was in.鈥�
Villegas enjoyed trying Spanish food and adopting Sevilla鈥檚 caf茅 culture, where she often studied and met friends. She also noticed cultural differences, like how staring isn鈥檛 considered rude in Spain, while smiling at strangers immediately marked her as a foreigner.
During her semester abroad, she traveled widely, visiting cities across Spain as well as Gibraltar, Portugal, Malta, and Morocco. Highlights included Granada鈥檚 historic sites, island-hopping off the coast of Portugal, and visiting nomadic Berber communities in Morocco.
Looking back, Villegas said the study abroad experience was transformative.
鈥淚 believe anybody with the ability to study abroad 100% should, and that I would 100% do it again if I could,鈥� she said.