A Beautiful & Passionate Time Past Review

By Lilia Anderson (University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa) - abroad from 01/23/2019 to 05/20/2019 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Seville, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much about myself and the world. I learned to journal. I learned to speak a language, and speak it well. I learned to expose myself to new people and ideas. I learned to empathize with people living in a traditional country. I learned about the horrors of Franco and the Inquisition, about the beauties of Spanish art and female teachers in the early 1900s. The experience could not have been more worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The classes offered to me at the University of Seville (Spanish language instruction) and at the CEA center (English language instruction) were fantastic and so thought-provoking. The professors, all Sevillanos, were incredibly kind and considerate. I learned so much about culture, history, literature and art.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Everyone was so incredibly kind at the CEA center. Aranoa, Fede, and everyone else were so helpful. From the first day, in which we were picked up from the airport and shown around our respective neighborhoods, to exam week when they consistently checked in, we were so strongly supported.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I adored everything about my living situation. Lola, the kindest, most hilarious, and culinary genius of a host-mom made my life so beautiful in Sevilla. I lived in a young, hip neighborhood, full of families and murals and bars and delicious tapas, as well as other fun restaurants, like an amazing Middle Eastern one, a yummy burger place, and a truly terrific Italian heaven.
* Food:	As I mentioned, Lola provided the most delicious traditional Spanish food. She was also very accommodating to vegetarian and vegan roommates. She also provided snacks and desserts for our pantry!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I will describe just one example of local culture, the Alameda area in which I lived. The Alameda neighborhood in Sevilla is rich with bars, cafés, playgrounds, trees, beautiful buildings, and most importantly, PEOPLE! So many people stroll down the large, urban boulevard while heading home from mass, eating ice cream from Freskura, playing with children or dogs, or chatting with friends. For four lovely months, I was one of those people. By enjoying coffee from small cafés, chatting with fellow customers, strolling the narrow streets, and learning about the history of the area, or walking with a neighborhood friend and his dog, I was able to feel like part of the beautiful Sevilla tapestry. The neighborhood is young and hip, while still being rooted in deep Spanish tradition.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I did not need any more than just general travel vaccines. I had no health issues.
* Safety:	I had no safety-related incidents, but I know that CEA was incredibly ready for any situation. The emergency phone number, that a staff member mans 24/7, was incredibly reassuring.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes As I have mentioned, CEA did so much to make my time exquisite. Everything from housing to cultural excursions was arranged impeccably.

Finances

* 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)	I traveled quite a bit, so I ate out quite a bit.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	I would seek out jobs with tips! I have waitressed for four years, and have been able to make a lot of money through tips.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	We were encouraged to speak Spanish, but if students would like, they were able to get by speaking no Spanish.
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?	SP202
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?	MUSIC! I adore reggaetón and flamenco. Listening to music and researching the lyrics helps so much!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	Included Excursions: Granada, Córdoba, Lisbon Amazing Staff Cultural Opportunities
* What could be improved?	Broader Alumni base More Spanish speaking opportunities Little!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Speak more Spanish!

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Gender Roles in Present Day Spain
Course Department:
Instructor:	Professor Álvarez
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The field trips around the city that we took helped us learn so much about Spanish women throughout each era of Spain. We saw some gorgeous places. Furthermore, our professor introduced us to an amazing refugee who discussed what it was like being a woman of color and a refugee in Spain. I participated so much in this class; we all did. We were assessed by two exams and one paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	None at all! UA and CEA work incredibly well together.