Frances Massey
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Biology B.S., Hispanic Literatures and Cultures/ Chemistry minor
Program: UNC in Sevilla
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Email: flatham@live.unc.edu
Term: Spring 2019
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to be able to immerse myself in the language that I am studying in order to improve my fluency. I chose the UNC in Sevilla program because my research into Sevilla showed that it was an absolutely beautiful city full of culture and history. I also heard incredibly positive things about the program from past participants.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned SO much about myself during my semester in Sevilla. Getting away from UNC and the typical college experience for a semester gave me so much clarity about what I want to do with my future, and getting to experience the amazing culture of Sevilla opened my eyes to just how amazing the world is outside of my bubble. My semester abroad sparked a passion for travel that I don't think will ever go away, and helped me figure out a lot more about who I am as a person by pushing me out of my comfort zone A LOT.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
I met some amazing people from both Spain and from UNC during my program. A fellow UNC student and I started a tradition that we called "Tapa Thursday." Every Thursday night we got together and tried a few of the tapa bars in the city. We continued to do this throughout the entire semester. We learned so much about the city, interacted with locals and took part in a vibrant Spanish tradition while building an incredible friendship ourselves. It was so much fun!
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. As an introvert, studying abroad was a little bit daunting for me at first. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make the connections that I was looking for abroad. My advice would be that stepping outside of your bubble can be incredibly rewarding!
Would you do it again?
Without a doubt. I would do it 1000x over again.
How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?
Studying abroad in Sevilla helped me to gain fluency in Spanish that I imagine will be useful in any career that I choose in the future. I also learned so much about making connections with people different from me!