BROWNWOOD – July 16, 2024 –Howard Payne University’s Spanish department recently took 16 students to Seville, Spain for a five-week immersion experience. Each student completed a total of six credits of Spanish at the Instituto San Fernando (San Fernando Institute), which is the equivalent of two HPU courses. Many of the students took introductory and intermediate Spanish, while the more advanced students completed classes in literature and culture.
Each HPU student was hosted by a family in Seville and was completely immersed in the Spanish language and culture. From ordering food to asking for directions and traveling to other parts of Spain, the students learned how to conduct daily business and complete everyday tasks in Spanish.
For Alli Harvey, a senior majoring in the Honors Academy and jurisprudence, staying in a host home was a very valuable part of her experience in Seville.
“Living in the homes of locals and experiencing their culture firsthand is really what taught me the most about the Spanish culture,” said Harvey. “My host family spoke no English, so I was challenged to communicate completely in Spanish. Due to this, my understanding of the Spanish language grew so fast. There was no escaping the culture either. I was forced to adapt to a different way of life which eventually became so natural.”
Alongside attending classes and exploring the culture in Seville, the students went on three major excursions to Córdoba, Cádiz and Granada. Each trip offered a unique cultural experience as well as an opportunity to develop language skills. The students were able to tour cathedrals and synagogues and learn how Christians, Muslims and Jews lived alongside one another during the Middle Ages. They learned about the southern coast of Spain and how integral port cities are for its commercial trade. They also spent a weekend at the University of Granada where they stayed in the residence halls and learned about the student experience in Spain.
Students also visited local businesses in Seville. These visits included a presentation by Seville’s Chamber of Commerce as well as a presentation at the former 1992 Expo Center, which is now home to a Smart Technology District for numerous entrepreneurs and businesses.
Dr. Danny Brunette-López, professor of Spanish and department chair, served as a faculty sponsor for the month-long immersive experience. He was thankful for the opportunity to offer such a rich, cultural and education experience for his students.
“It has been truly an honor for me, as well as my wife, to serve as sponsors and directors of such a prestigious program,” said Dr. Brunette-López. “I am so proud of our students for what they have accomplished!”
Applications are being accepted for admission to HPU for the fall 2024 semester. For more information about the university, visit www.hputx.edu.