Tell me more:
Spanish culture will forever be ingrained in my heart
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
Program Information
If you have at least one advanced level Spanish course, a keen interest in Spanish society, and if you are looking for an opportunity to completely immerse yourself in Spanish culture by speaking only Spanish - in class, at your place of residence, and with fellow program participants - then, this program is i... More
| Provider: | CIEE |
| Location(s): | Seville, Spain |
| Year Founded: | |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Elaine H. (Advertising, The University of Texas at Austin) on September 14, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2010-01-18 |
| * End Date: | 2010-05-14 |
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Sevilla |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
University life is very different. You will go to classes Monday-Thursday and have zero home work. Your grades are based on a midterm and a final with no work in between. Your grades are also based on a 10 point scale vs. 100. A 5 is a C, so you can really see the difference.The teaching methods are very different. The professor will stand in front of the class and literally just talk while you take notes. There is no PowerPoint to back him up. However, the classes are very open for discussion and if you don't understand his wording they are very understanding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the trips that they organized and the ability to answer any questions. |
| * Housing: |
My host family was what made my abroad experience. I was treated as their own daughter. I lived with a host mother, father and another American exchange student. Our family was absoultely incredible and I would not trade it for the world. We were located extremely close to class, going out and the historical area of Sevilla. I could not have picked a better location or family. |
| * Food: |
I have never eaten so much in my life. And force fed. Realize that the food is good, but you will be fed more than you have ever eaten. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My favorite night of study abroad was during the festival Feria. My family had a tent for Feria and we spent all night dancing Sevillana, drinking and eating. The perfect night. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe walking around at all hours. My house was located in a great neighborhood and if I ever felt unsafe I took a cab. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did The University of Texas at Austin prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 312L |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We could have an intercambio which is a person who wants to practice their English and I wanted to practice Spanish. We would meet once a week at a cafe or other place and talk. With CIEE you also have orientation guias which are a huge help. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who wants to learn the language and immerse themselves into the culture of Sevilla. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | My experience was absolutely amazing. I learned to fully put myself into a culture and that to be okay with feeling uncomfortable. I learned to live life slowly with no fear of the future. You will learn to love those around you, truly live in the moment and appreciate the beauty of life. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Contemporary Film |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Great great class learned a lot of history of Spain, great movies great professor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Finance |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Very hard I wish I had a foundation of finance prior to taking this class |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
The Art of Flamenco as a Process of Communication in the 21st Century: An Interdisciplinary Approach and the Aesthetics of Music |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | SO hard and very boring. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advertising and Propaganda in Mass Communication |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spainsh |
| Comments: | The teacher knew everything about it. It was much more history based than advertising. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | My grades still haven't transferred |