SUMMER & FALL 2024 APPLICATIONS ARE STILL OPEN! 
Click here>>

I’ve always had a desire to play soccer abroad and immerse myself in a totally different soccer environment. It was always on my mind to play the beautiful game through a different perspective. I had my sights on Spain because I knew that soccer is the primary sport and that it is played everywhere throughout the different regions. I was lucky enough to find a program like SAIIE in Seville because they offered a study abroad program, but also gave me the opportunity to play soccer abroad. This was my chance to continue my soccer education and to further help me grow as a player and as a person.

Mishiah5Upon my arrival to my first practice with Triana Football Club, everything was going very fast. I was already thrown into my first practice and had to act like I knew what I was doing. My Spanish was very minimal and it was even harder because I didn’t know anyone, besides my two roommates. I don’t think I even got to meet or introduce myself to my new teammates or even the coach that first day because of the time constraints. I wasn’t bothered by it because I was more excited to play. We did two different drills that first practice and only one of them was unfamiliar to me and more difficult due to language barriers. After that, we’d had small-sided games with even teams.

We’d have two-three practices a week every night. I continue to listen and watch from my teammates as I tried to learn as much as possible. The game play is very fast because the style of play was mainly two to three touches. If you took more than a few touches or didn’t play fast enough, you would get left behind. It was very challenging playing this new style of play, but I did prefer it over the soccer back at home where there’s a lot more running and kick ball, meaning you try to kick it as far as possible and see if your teammates can catch up to it. Over in Spain, it’s more about possession and technical teamwork. The goalkeepers rarely ever boot it up from their end line, but mainly a simple pass to the nearby defenders to start the attack. It was very fascinating to see the ball do most of the work. It was never about individuals trying to beat or humiliate another player using his skills, but rather more about how every player on the pitch can contribute to the goal.

During each small-sided games, I’d play in my normal position, which was holding midfield and sometimes attacking midfield. For anyone reading this, I like to emulate my game like Xabi Alonso for holding midfield and Luka Modric for attacking, but am not near to their potential or skills, as I do wish everyday. As time progressed and throughout much challenges and struggles I had to face during those practice days, I learned that only if you keep fighting, you’d succeed. One of the challenges was not having played much soccer prior to coming to the team and being out of shape. Another challenge of course was the language barrier and not being on the same page with your teammates. It was difficult because you lose confidence and you don’t bring out your true potential. I knew that I could play with these guys and could fit in, but it wasn’t just clicking, as I’d hope it would. It took a much longer time because on the pitch you’d have to earn it. Whether it was running back on defense to help out the defenders or making those crucial tackles to stop an opposing attacker. It was those little things that make your teammates trust you more, and I was able to learn that through observation and practice.

Every practice felt like a game-type environment because it was a chance to improve yourself and fight for a chance to play. I looked around and I see that a lot of my Spanish teammates were all at different ages. Some were my age and some much older and much more mature having played at a professional level at some point in their lives. Soccer was taken very seriously and never for granted because it was an opportunity to grow as a player and fight for whatever goals you may have.

Mishiah3

My first friendly with the team came after a couple weeks of training. I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I only had questions running through my head. We had our first friendly match against Camas FC, which was where Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid started out playing during his youth days. Upon hearing that, it made me even more nervous about the opposition. We had a lot of traveling fans from our program that came out to watch, which also made me more nervous. I’m pretty sure I kept telling myself not to screw up and just play your game repeatedly. I head into the locker room and I see all the kit ready and provided for, so I knew this was official. Everything was in motion and it was going to be a great night of soccer. I started out playing in my usual holding midfield position next to Juanho, the veteran and captain of the team. He helped guide me on where to be and what to do all in Spanish, so I took a little of it in. The game started and everything was going very fast. Every player knew what they were doing and there was much yelling for the ball and screaming on the pitch. The first goal came in after the 20th minute or so from one of our defenders. We were now in a comfortable position to keep possession and maintain stability of the game. I felt like I performed on an average level and not as good as I liked. Overall it was a great night of soccer and I was glad a lot of the students from the program came out to watch.

My second friendly game with the team came at the end of the season. It was against a team called “Dream Team”. At this point, I was more than ready because I was fit and more comfortable with the team. I had no problem playing my normal position and I felt that I performed much better compared to my first game. It was also exciting to have assisted an own goal from a corner kick. Overall, it was a great match and the team performed very well to a convincing 5-1 win.

Mishiah

In conclusion, I’d say my soccer experience in Spain was a great experience. I took it more as an opportunity to learn something new about the beautiful game. I really enjoyed seeing the passion and determination for the game throughout all of whom I’ve encountered. It was great to be surrounded by those who loved the game as much as I do. I learned a lot about why soccer is so popular throughout Spain. It was like another religion for the most part because it’s widely celebrated among the people. As for myself, I was able to grow as a person and player, figuring out what my weaknesses and strengths are and being more comfortable when playing the game. If you’re reading this, feel free to ask me more because I’d love to tell you more about my experience. It’s one of those experiences you’ll never forget and will always cherish because for me, I got to play soccer in a beautiful country with great people and witness great things happen.

Mishiah Toe, Bethel University (Spring 2015)

 

josh3I’m from Baltimore, MD, and I play soccer at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA.  We have a high-level team, reaching the Elite Eight in Division III last year.  My goal for the semester abroad was to improve while playing with the semi-pro team, and I did just that.  I played with a team called Triana CF, a team in the fourth level of professional soccer in Spain, technically a semi-professional level.  The team was sort of a “stepping stone;” young players on the team were expected to get noticed by more advanced teams and move into a higher level, while older players on the team had been in the higher leagues while in their prime and had come back down to this team as they got older and started to settle down.  As such, the team was a mix of skillful competitive players close to my age and of older, more experienced and smarter players around the age of 30-34.  There was at least one player, Diego, who had played in the second division, La Liga Adelante.
josh

The atmosphere was quite competitive.  These players take soccer very seriously, and have been playing their entire lives.  The team was in the middle of their season, so it was difficult to get into real matches as I was to only be there for 4 months. However, the program with SAIIE allowed me to play the entirety of two friendly matches, and because the coach liked how I played, I got selected to play in another one.  In addition, we practiced three times every week.  (If that wasn’t enough, I was able to find four other pickup games throughout the week in the city.  In Sevilla there is always soccer to be played).  The players themselves were very skillful, especially in small spaces.  A technical error was extremely rare, and the players were simply smarter than the American players that I’ve played with.  What they lacked a little was physical presence, such as speed and strength.  I know for a fact that playing in the semi-professional Spanish atmosphere greatly helped my technical ability, my vision, and my mental game in general.  I learned how to think ahead, to be aware of everyone around me, to be composed on the ball, and to keep possession of the ball in very small spaces.  Not to mention how much Spanish lingo I learned from talking with the coaches and players – soccer terms and local dialect.

josh2

The staff at SAIIE was incredible.  Although I have something positive to say about every staff member of the school, Sean Chipres, Stuart Chipres and Curro Aleman helped me the most with the soccer team.  Sean is in charge of the soccer program.  He grew up in Sevilla, but his parents are from the U.S. and England, so he is natively fluent in both Spanish and English. He would come with us to the practices to make sure we got there safely and knew where to go.  He also made sure the coaches and players were treating us well and that we were adjusting well to the new team.  He managed to get an article about us into the biggest newspaper in Sevilla, El Diario de Sevilla.  Additionally, he hooked us up with a few weekly pickup game options, even inviting us to play with him and his friends.  Sean’s accomodation went even farther than the soccer playing.  He helped us with any issues we had at our Spanish home, and was keen to hang out with us on the weekends and show us the local scene. 

He was very welcoming to my parents when they came and sat and talked with them during a practice and a friendly game.  Stuart is Sean’s older brother and the director of SAIIE.  Interestingly, Stuart played high-level semi-pro soccer in England about ten years ago, and he continues playing with a semi-pro team in Sevilla.  He acted as a mentor to me as a player.  He would also play pickup games with Sean and me, and would talk to me about my development and what he saw in me as a player.  Stuart is a very kind, classy individual who was able to keep the school organized as a whole.  Curro is another guy who helps out with the athletic programs.  He, too, was very kind and helpful with the program and as a friend.  He would come to our practices and check on us in the same way Sean did, and hang out with us.  Stuart and Curro came with the whole program when we travelled to Morocco.

Josh Kufera, Christopher Newport University (Spring 2015)

 

What type of field will I be training on?
The fields you will be training on are made of artificial turf.

What type of soccer shoes do I need?
You will need soccer shoes suitable for artificial turf grounds.

How long are training sessions?
Trainings will last for about 1hr and 30 min.

When do the training sessions take place?
Trainings will be held in the evenings. Generally practices take place from 9:00pm - 10:30pm or 8:00pm - 9:30pm

How many training seesions take place per week?
Teams generally practice 2-3 times per week. Students that join and play weekly with the team will train 3 times per week. Students that don't manage to make the team might only be able to train some weeks twice.

Are the trainings held in Spanish?
Yes. You will be training with Spaniards on a Spanish team with Spanish coaches. This is an important aspect of the cultural immersion part of the program; through the soccer program you will be surrounded in a constant Spanish speaking environment and this will give you a great opportunity to improve your Spanish.

How many American players will there be on a team?
There will be a maximum of 3 American players per team. On the womens team they can be a maximum of 6 players.

What age are the players on the team?
The players ostly range between 18 and 23 years old.

Is transportation to trainings included in the total program cost?
No, transportation is not included.

How much money will I spend on transportation to trainings?
Approximately $150 in total for the semester.

How far are the training grounds from your home?
All training grounds are no further than a 20-30min bus or metro ride or in some cases a 20-40 minute walk.

Will I be able to go see an official professional soccer match?
Yes, we will organize to go watch a professional "La Liga" soccer match in the spring term.

Will I play against other Spanish clubs?
Yes, for those sutdent-athletes that don't manage to join the Spanish team, we will organize a minimum of 1 friendly match throughout the term. If the calendar of the Spanish team allows it we will organize a second friendly match.

Will I have the chance to play in any other matches?
Yes, for those of you who don't manage to join the team we will help you join pick-up matches organized with other Spanish, or foreign players. These matches will be generally 5v5, 7v7 or even on 11v11 soccer fields. Contact the program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com for more information.

Will I be able to join the team and play on a weekly base? Yes. Its the Spanish Head Coach desicion but if he agrees it is up to the student to join or not the team.

The experience that SAIIE gave me was life changing in its fullest meaning. In addition to the wonderful staff, SAIIE gave me the opportunity to play the sport I love.

I began searching for study abroad programs knowing that I wanted to continue my development as a player in a foreign country. My biggest concern was that the level would not allow me to grow, and prepare myself for my upcoming school season. When I arrived at my first practice with local semi-pro team Triana C.F., I immediately realized I made the right decision.

Chase The level that this team played at was beyond anywhere I had played in my life. Soccer is simply a sport in the United States; in Spain it is a lifestyle that runs deep into the history of the country. This was obvious the moment I stepped on the field. Every pass, every shot, every save, was reflective of a lifetime of perfecting the fundamentals of the beautiful game. This created an amazing learning opportunity for an outsider like me.

Keeping up with the pace was not an issue, it was keeping up with their style. The playing style of the United States is much more physical than that of the Spaniards. However, these players played the game like it was chess. This different style presents a very good learning opportunity for any college player that is looking to improve their game. We would practice 3-4 times per week and were even able to play in a few games against other teams. The first game I played in was against the home club of Spanish legend Sergio Ramos. I never in my life thought I would be able to do something like this.

soccer spain

When I came to the SAIIE soccer program I wanted to drastically improve my game. After returning to the US I can honestly say my skills have improved exponentially. I cannot thank SAIIE enough for this incredible, once in a lifetime experience.

Chase Donley, Lesley University (Spring 2015)

Subcategorías

soccer cost dates