CIEE: International Business and Culture in Seville

CIEE classes and UPO (Universidad Pablo de Olavide) classes for international students are small and interactive, and include field trips and activities outside of the classroom. UPO direct-enroll courses may be larger in size, include Spanish and other international students, and lecture-based; direct enroll classes go until the end of the regular semester. Students interested in enrolling in a direct enroll course may have to stay a week longer in the fall or a month longer in the spring.

Universidad Pablo de Olavide – With nearly 11,000 students, UPO is the second largest state university in Seville. Its 345-acre campus is 30-minutes from the center of the city. UPO offers undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional majors, as well other areas, from biotechnology to translation. Modern facilities include campus-wide internet access, sports facilities, science labs, and more.

CIEE Seville – Our home is a beautifully renovated palace, originally built in 1725 and includes classrooms, a computer room, student services, Language Resource Center, and Resident Staff.

Language placement – 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.

Language support – The Language Resource Center is staffed by language professors and Masters students. CIEE organizes individual tutorials and workshops to help students progress in their Spanish language acquisition.

Orientation

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation organized by Global Engagement. During this orientation, further details about the course and program details will be discussed. Pre-departure orientations for Winter and Spring programs are held in October/November. Pre-departure orientations for Summer and Fall programs are held in April.

You will also participate in both an online pre-departure as well as on-site arrival orientation through CIEE. These orientations will allow you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. You will gain more understanding about the program, and identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

Opportunities

Gain Valuable Work Experience
Get front-line perspective by participating in an optional for-credit internship in a Spanish company. Learn from company managers at Spanish and international companies like Inés Rosales, Basilippo, Xtraice, or Ybarra via company visits.

Volunteer
Connect with the people of Seville and say gracias for your stay by pitching in at a local organization or school. Make the most of your Spanish language learning by practicing with Spanish students through a conversion exchange program. Participate in an optional internship with a Spanish company and carry out tasks such as improving logistics and customer relations, building finance reports in Excel, developing marketing plans, auditing Andalusian companies, etc.

Eligibility

You must have an overall GPA of 2.75+ and be in good disciplinary and financial standing with SHU.

Course Credit

SHU approved courses taken on this program will count towards your general graduation total. Course grades will also factor into your cumulative Grade Point Average (courses are not available for Pass/Fail).

Students can reference the Course Equivalency Database to see which courses have already been approved. Approval for courses not yet approved can be requested through Global Engagement. Email studyabroad@sacredheart.edu for more information.

Academic Culture & Grading

CIEE Intensive Spanish Session classes meet Monday through Friday during the first two weeks of the semester. Regular semester classes at the University Pablo de Olavide (UPO) are scheduled Monday through Thursday, and most meet twice a week. UPO University Integration Program (P.I.U.) direct enrollment courses meet twice a week with possible classes on Fridays. UPO P.I.U. classes are designed for students who wish to integrate themselves fully into a Spanish university. CIEE classes and UPO classes for international students are small and interactive, and include field trips and activities outside of the classroom. UPO direct-enroll courses may be larger in size, include Spanish and other international students, and lecture-based. Spanish and European international students have registration priority in UPO direct enroll classes; CIEE student registration in direct enroll classes is not guaranteed and takes place on-site. Direct enroll classes go until the end of the regular semester. Students interested in enrolling in a direct enroll course may have to stay a week longer in the fall or a month longer in the spring.

Class attendance is mandatory, students are expected to complete work and exams as scheduled. During fall semester, there is no extended vacation period. During spring semester, there are two: Semana Santa (one-week duration) and Feria de Abril (one-week duration). Semana Santa is normally the week before Easter. Feria de Abril is normally two weeks after Easter. Class attendance is mandatory for both CIEE and UPO classes, and participation is part of student assessment. Students should expect to complete all assignments and exams as scheduled. Students are graded on midterm and final examinations, papers, presentations, class participation, and attendance. UPO direct-enroll content courses: Professors give assignments as well as exams, participation may or may not be factored into the final grade. Numerical grades are given on a 10-point scale and converted to the U.S. scale.

Course Information

Program Credit

• Total credit, semester: 15-18 semester/22.5-27 quarter hours
• Total credit, academic year: 30-36 semester/45-54 quarter hours

Visit CIEE's website to view past and upcoming course offerings.

Housing is not included as part of your SHU study abroad program fees. Housing is paid directly to CIEE.

Most students live in a Spanish-speaking homestay. Each student will have his/her own bedroom and internet, weekly cleaning and laundry service are provided. Homes are within walking distance of the metro with an approximately a 45-minute ride to the UPO campus. Three meals per day are provided by your host family.

Meal costs are included in your CIEE Housing fees.

There is also a residence hall option, although meals are not included.

• 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.
• 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 traveled 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.
• Jump into campus activities at University Pablo de Olavide – choir, cinema, sports, fitness, volunteering – there’s lots to choose from.

CIEE International Business & Culture in Seville, Spain: Fall 2025 - Spring 2026

*Total will be billed in accordance with Student Accounts billing cycle and policies

Additional Expenses

*Estimate

All costs subject to change.

Fees Include:

• Program orientation
• Arrival airport transfer
• Mandatory basic international health insurance

Fees Do Not Include:

• Travel to/from host country
• Major medical insurance
• On-site course fees
• Visa/resident permit fees
• Program materials
• Personal expenses

Additional Billing Information

All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.

Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.

Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to make a study abroad experience more accessible, Global Engagement prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Please note that this is not a conclusive list but it will help you start your search process. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.

To be considered for any CIEE-specific scholarships and grants, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of the CIEE website.

Students in the Thomas More Honors Program are eligible to use a one-time study abroad scholarship of $500 towards the cost of their program. Students will need to apply for this scholarship post-acceptance within their study abroad accounts.

Speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.

Salvador Parra is the Center Director of CIEE Seville. Salvador has been working at CIEE since 2000 and is passionate about international exchange. He holds a degree in History and Geography from the University of Seville and a Master of Business Administration.

José Luis Martinez (Juli) has a BA in Hispanic Philology and an MA in Spanish Literature (Theater) from the Universidad de Seville. He has been working with CIEE since 2002.

Fall 2025

August 18 - December 17, 2025*

Spring 2026

January 7 - May 20, 2026*

CIEE will communicate directly to enrolled students all move-in, orientation and move-out dates.

*All dates are subject to change. Do not book your flight until you have been accepted by CIEE and your move in and move out dates have been confirmed.