Volleyballmairena

 

Elevate Your Game — On the Court, in the Classroom, and Across Cultures

Are you a high school volleyball player craving more than just a playing season? Imagine spending a year abroad in Seville, Spain, living with a local family, training with an elite club, and studying — all while immersing yourself in one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural hubs. That’s exactly what the SAIIE Elite Women’s Volleyball Gap Year Program 2026/27 offers.

“Spots are filling fast! Apply now for SAIIE’s Elite Women’s Volleyball Gap Year Program 2026/27 in Seville.”


⚡ 1. Train at a Higher Level — Become a Better Athlete

  • You’ll join one of southern Spain’s top women’s volleyball clubs, part of an academy network that trains hundreds of players and competes in official regional and national leagues. 

  • Enjoy three training sessions per week plus weekly league matches — a rhythm that mirrors real competitive environments and pushes your development beyond what summer camps or isolated training can offer. 

  • Gain international exposure: training in a different volleyball culture, working with Spanish coaches and teammates, and getting used to varied playing styles and strategies. This exposure builds versatility, adaptability, and global-level competitiveness.

This program isn’t a short-term camp — it’s a full-season, competitive commitment with real training, competition, and growth.


🎓 2. Learn, Grow, and Earn Credits — Academics Integrated

  • Alongside training, you have the option to take courses at the University of Seville or enroll in intensive Spanish-language classes through SAIIE.

  • Whether you choose Spanish courses or university-level classes, this keeps your mind sharp and helps you make the most of your “gap year” academically — not just athletically.

  • This dual approach (sports + studies) positions you as a well‑rounded applicant for college or university, demonstrating dedication to both athletics and academics.


🌍 3. Live in Seville — Cultural Immersion & Personal Growth

  • You’ll stay with a carefully selected Spanish host family, giving you an authentic home-away-from-home experience: daily meals, real conversations, local customs. It’s not just travel — it’s living abroad.

  • As you walk the streets of Seville — its historic plazas, Moorish architecture, flamenco rhythms, and Andalusian lifestyle — you’ll experience a culture vastly different from home. Spain offers international students a diverse, welcoming, and immersive environment.

  • This kind of experience does more than enrich your résumé — it shapes you as a global citizen, building empathy, cultural awareness, adaptability, and independence.


✅ 4. NCAA-Compliant; Gap Year, Not a Disruption

If you plan to go on to college — especially in the U.S. — this program is structured to keep your eligibility intact, while giving you competitive training and academic growth opportunities during your gap year. 
You won’t just be “taking a year off” — you’ll be actively improving athletically, growing personally, and enriching your academic profile.


Why This Program Stands Out

  • Real‑world sports experience: not just training, but integrated into a club with weekly matches and formal competition.

  • Balanced growth: athletics, academics, and cultural immersion all in one structured program.

  • Life-changing opportunity: living abroad, learning a new language, forging international friendships — this isn’t just a year off, it’s a launchpad for your future.

  • Supportive environment: from host families to a Spanish club community to SAIIE support, you won’t feel alone.


Ready to Take the Leap?

Applications for the 2026/27 Elite Women’s Volleyball Gap Year Program are now open — and they close on April 1. Spots are limited, so if this sounds like the kind of challenge and adventure you’ve been seeking, don’t wait.

Learn more and apply here: SAIIE Elite Women’s Volleyball Gap Year Program
Questions? Contact program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com — we’d be glad to walk you through the process or answer any questions.

 summer term

Fuel Performance and Health: ESS 460 – Sports Nutrition and the Mediterranean Diet (Summer Session II)

Looking to deepen your understanding of nutrition, optimize athletic performance, and explore one of the world’s healthiest eating patterns? This summer, ESS 460: Sports Nutrition and the Mediterranean Diet offers a unique opportunity to do just that.

Course Overview
This 3-credit course explores the core components of the Mediterranean diet and its powerful role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Students will gain insight into how nutrition directly impacts both overall health and physical performance.

Beyond theory, the course dives into practical applications for athletes and active individuals. Topics include:

  • Training diets and performance nutrition
  • Hydration strategies and electrolyte balance
  • Glycogen replacement and recovery
  • Personalized nutrition approaches for fitness programs

Whether you're pursuing a career in health, sports science, or simply want to enhance your own well-being, this course provides valuable, real-world knowledge.

Meet the Instructor
The course is taught by visiting professor Dr. Maria Morgan-Bathke from Viterbo University. With her expertise in nutrition and experience as an SAIIE alumna, she brings both academic insight and a strong connection to the program—adding a unique and engaging perspective to the learning experience.

Course Details

  • Credits: 3
  • Session: Summer Session II only
  • Language: English
  • Application Deadline: May 1

How to Apply
Interested in joining? To start your application or learn more, please contact:

Alexis Bergstrom
International Program Manager
International Education & Engagement Office at UW–La Crosse
Email: abergstrom@uwlax.edu


Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how nutrition can transform both health and performance—while engaging with a globally inspired approach rooted in the Mediterranean lifestyle.

 

 Emilyhome  

🌍 SAIIE Alumni Spotlight: Emily is a Fall 2025 SAIIE alumna from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

Emily (Far left) is a Fall 2025 SAIIE alumna from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, where she studies Biology and Spanish. She recently returned from her semester abroad in Seville, Spain, and shared her experience living and studying with SAIIE.


Hear about her time there below:

My name is Emily, and I am studying Biology and Spanish here at UWL. I recently just got back from studying abroad in Seville, Spain during the Fall of 2025 semester. I went with the program SAIIE. I took a lot of fun classes including, Spanish cuisine, Spanish cinema and literature, world art, and a medical international relations class. Half of my classes were in Spanish and the other half were in English. During my time there, I stayed in a homestay with another UWL student. I got to know my host mom very well and would definitely say that staying in a homestay was a positive part of my trip. We had lots of free time to explore the city and see everything that it has to offer. For example, the Cathedral, the Alcazar, the bullfighting ring, Plaza de España, the many ceramic shops in Triana, and more. I can confidently say that you will never get board in Seville. Something that surprised me was how kind and welcoming the locals were. I met a few locals while abroad and they were so excited to have us try their traditional foods or to see some of their favorite spots around the city. But I would also say that if you are wanting to go to Spain because you want to get better at the language, you are going to have to make an effort because most of the people there speak English as well. That is another reason why being in a homestay is a highlight of this program because I was able to practice my Spanish with my host mom everyday. I would also say that Spain is a great place to study abroad because you are so close to other countries and there is even so many amazing cities within Spain itself that are affordable to travel to. Don’t be afraid to study abroad, just do it because trust me, you won’t regret it!

swimming2

Spend a Gap Year with the SAIIE study abroad program in Seville, Spain swimming at an elite level.

Swimming Program Includes:

  • Placement on Spanish elite swimming team.
  • Highly qualified technical staff.
  • 5-6 Weekly trainings.
  • Double session water workouts / Depends on students class schedule.
  • Complementary physical preparation (Daily sessions according to specialty).
  • Programs tailored to swimmers specialty (Speed, Medium-distance, Long-distance, and Ultra-distance).
  • Individualized programs for excellent athletes (swimmers).
  • 4-5 athletes per swimming lane.
  • Starting block.
  • Hyperbaric Chambers.
  • Lactact Analysis Kits.
  • Spanish License to swim with the Spanish team in Spanish local and national competition.
  • 1 swim meet per semester / Depending on level might participate in 3 per semester.

 

Why Choose SAIIE’s Elite Swimming Program?

Our program combines top-level swimming training with an unforgettable study abroad experience in Spain — a country known for its deep love of the game and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain international exposure, or just experience life as a student-athlete abroad, SAIIE’s Elite Swimming Program has you covered.

 

Ready to Take the Water?

Learn more about the program here: https://www.saiie.com/gap-year-spain/swimming-elite-spain

 

Your Adventure, Your Goals, Your Game

Studying abroad is about so much more than just classes — it’s about growth, discovery, and pushing yourself beyond limits. With the SAIIE Elite Swimming Program, you get to combine your passion for swimming with a life-changing international experience.

Are you ready to join the team?

Contact program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com if you have any questions about the elite soccer program.

Please note: this program is only offered to students studying abroad through the SAIIE study abroad program

 

 

 

 

 

Triana women players

Score Big This Spring 2026: Join the SAIIE Elite Women Soccer Program in Spain!

Are you a passionate female college soccer player dreaming of elevating your game while immersing yourself in a vibrant new culture? The SAIIE Elite Women Soccer Program is your perfect match!

 

Why Choose SAIIE’s Elite Soccer Program?

Our program combines top-level soccer training with an unforgettable study abroad experience in Spain — a country known for its deep love of the game and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain international exposure, or just experience life as a student-athlete abroad, SAIIE’s Elite Soccer Program has you covered.

 

What You’ll Get:

  • Elite soccer training with expert coaches who know the game inside and out

  • Competitive matches and opportunities to connect with local Spanish teams

  • Academic credit from a reputable university program

  • Cultural immersion in some of Spain’s most exciting cities

  • A chance to build lifelong friendships and global networks

 

Don’t Wait — Applications Close October 1, 2025!

Spring 2026 spots are limited and filling fast. Take this opportunity to kickstart your international soccer journey and personal growth all at once. 

 

Ready to Take the Field?

Learn more about the program here: https://saiie.com/soccer-study-spain

 

Your Adventure, Your Goals, Your Game

Studying abroad is about so much more than just classes — it’s about growth, discovery, and pushing yourself beyond limits. With the SAIIE Elite Soccer Program, you get to combine your passion for soccer with a life-changing international experience.

Are you ready to join the team?

Contact program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com if you have any questions about the elite soccer program.

Please note: this program is only offered to students studying abroad through the SAIIE study abroad program