CAS '19 Elana Burack

Thumbnail
SA: CASA Sevilla

Program Abroad:

  • Semester Abroad (SA): Penn Semester in Seville: Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA), Spain

Ask me about...

  • Living in a homestay

  • Taking classes in Spanish

My Experience Abroad:

As a Religious Studies major, a semester abroad in Seville, Spain allowed my studies to truly come to life. Seville is a meeting point of the three Abrahamic religions, and it’s well-known for having a religiously rich past. While I was there, I not only had the chance to take classes like Islamic Art and the History of Modern Spain to learn about this past, but I also conducted independent research to learn about the religiously rich present. I specifically focused on the living Jewish community of Andalusia. I had never done research before, but the chance to try and to have phenomenal experiences interviewing members of the Jewish communities in southern Spain was absolutely unforgettable.

Other Highlights:

  • Living in a homestay
    I’m so glad that I had the experience of living in a homestay long-term and of getting to know a Spanish family so intimately.

  • Finding a community in Spain
    I had planned to study Jewish history in Seville, and what I ended up discovering was a thriving Jewish present. I was immediately welcomed as a community member and had the chance to celebrate a number of holidays with them.

  • Christmastime in Sevilla
    It was an absolutely idyllic setting during that time of year, and although I don’t celebrate Christmas, I found myself totally overwhelmed by the Christmas beauty.   

  • Holiday travels in Italy
    It was my only trip outside of Spain, and it was such an amazing opportunity to experience the famed Italian art, architecture, culture, and cuisine.

On the Penn Abroad Blog:

Bad Bread, Good Memories

The "Authentic" Seville

Cusco and the Moral Dilemma of Traveling

Return to Ambassador Archive