Words by Mason O'Brien, who studied abroad with ASA in Sevilla during the spring semester of 2025.
What is it like to move from the cold to the warm?
Living in Massachusetts for 21 years has had me accustomed to cold weather for more than half of the year. It was what I was used to for my whole life until I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain. My name is Mason, and I’m currently a senior in college. I went abroad in spring 2025 with ASA. I want to point out some of the differences between what it was like moving from Massachusetts to Sevilla, and more than just the weather. The culture abroad was much livelier and warmer, just like the weather.
Massachusetts residents have a well-known nickname for a reason. People stick to themselves and, frankly, are not outgoing. The wind makes people hide behind their jackets and spend minimal time getting blown away in frigid temperatures. Being near Boston especially, people work around the clock. There is minimal time to relax while people try to fit in meals between meetings and sleep between clocking in and out. This all changed the second I stepped foot in Spain. Once I arrived, my immediate tempo decreased. I could take two steps where I used to take three. I could live in the moment and appreciate where I was without thinking about the next thing. It was eye-opening and a life-changing trait that I’ve tried to hold with me since I came home, but has been difficult. You didn’t have to hope you’d get a break for a meal, or that you’d be able to make it throughout the day energized. Urgency was no longer a key, and it was nice to step back.
At first, when I was abroad, it was scary to change climates. End of January it was in the 60’s, something I’ve never lived in before. I could not wear my sweatpants and heavy jacket anymore. It was not only too hot, but there is a cultural standard of dressing more appropriately. They see dressing well as a sign of respect; it seems to be the baseline expectation. That changed my wardrobe immensely. Locals would bundle up in what was warm weather to me, so even though I was warm, I got used to the new standard. I would mainly wear khakis or jeans with either a quarter-zip or crewneck. Once it got even warmer, I moved to polo t-shirts and short sleeve-colored shirts. I was annoyed by this originally because I was so used to going out comfortably. But now that I am back and reflecting on my time abroad, I’m almost uncomfortable going out of the house in sweatpants. It was a change I did not expect, but one I am thankful for.
It’s extremely easy to say that moving from the cold to the warmth is easily beneficial, who wouldn’t want to escape the cold? It was so much more than that while being able to study abroad. I was able to move from a focused, fast-paced, and urgent culture to a present, loose, and relaxed lifestyle. I grew up in the cold and have learned to work hard and stay strong, but it was a wonderful and eye-opening experience seeing what it was like to be warm with a present and unguarded mindset. There are pros and cons to both, but these are just some of the key differences I never imagined when I chose Sevilla.
Thanks, Mason!