Semester in Spain Past Review
By A student (International Affairs, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/24/2013 with
API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Universidad de Sevilla
I made some close friends, and my language skills improved greatly. Absolutely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The easiest courses I have taken in my college career, as far as work load goes. However, my Spanish did improve greatly. I had some awesome professors, and some poor ones as well |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were amazing, I loved them all! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose a home stay, and I think that just wasn't a great fit for me. However, the people were caring, the food was great, and the living quarters themselves were comfortable. |
| * Food: |
The lady I lived with was a stellar cook. Only complaint is that she always gave us too much which resulted in weight gain, but that is not really a huge problem in the grand scheme of things |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The classes were only with other Americans, so you really had to create your own integration. The program itself didn't really create that. But, it is still quite easy to do! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No experience with healthcare, no vaccines required |
| * Safety: |
Felt safe the whole time,considering I lived in a city. No personal incidents |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Going out costs money, as does wanting any food at all besides the three meals provided by the host family |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50/week, I would guess.Maybe more. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPA490 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Force yourself to use it, make Spanish friends |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You will have to flag down waiters by waving, assume that you can't use a credit card, you can't go out to eat before 9 or 10pm, and Spaniards are disorganized! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
