Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

If I could do it again, I would. Past Review

By (Marketing And Spanish, Villanova University) - abroad from 01/17/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

CIEE: Seville - Business + Society

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I gained and learned so much, personally, culturally, academically. I think everyone needs to study abroad. You gain a new level of confidence that can only be attained through an experience like this. You meet people and now have contacts across the globe. It is the best way to perfect language skills. It was my favorite, most memorable, most challenging, and most unique semester.

Personal Information

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? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not applicable

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Food was provided by my homestay, however a lot of social outings involved food and drinks. Travel was also a large expense.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25 Euro, but it varied week to week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pace yourself. Don't buy every gift, drink, go to every dinner invite, try every street food, in the first month. You have plenty of time. Allow yourself a couple weeks to find the balance between splurging to enjoy yourself and having fun in other ways.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish Grammar
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? Even though I was confident in my language skills, the first week is always difficult, and that is expected. You are in a new place, with new people, and new accents. Don't underestimate body language and sign language, either!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • The friends I made, both in my program and locally
  • The local lifestyle and culture
  • CIEE was always supportive and had a great staff that helped with anything.
* What could be improved?
  • Classes proved slightly difficult to transfer credit.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's worth it. I was very close, too close, to not studying abroad. To think I might have missed an experience like this, might never have made the friends I made, is scary.