Go to Sevilla Past Review

By (Finance and Spanish, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/03/2013 to 12/12/2013 with

CIEE: Seville - Business + Society

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My Spanish improved tremendously and I learned how to be more open-minded in my view of the world as a whole. It was worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Jaime, Virginia, and Antonio were all awesome.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was placed with a great host family.

* Food:

Spanish food was a bit disappointing for me because I did not think it was very exciting or flavorful, but everything seemed much healthier than in the United States.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is not easy to integrate into a new culture, but over time I felt more and more comfortable interacting with locals and being a part of the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Nothing happened to me specifically, but issues with others were addressed quickly.

* Safety:

No place is completely safe and there was an incident with one of my fellow CIEE peers, but it was because he was not taking the safety precautions recommended by the program.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 Euro

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? 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? Advanced Composition and Conversation (Upper Level Spanish Course)
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? Find a Spanish Intercambio through the awesome intercambio program that CIEE provides and meet with them as much as possible to practice your Spanish.

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
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Host Family
  • Spanish Culture
  • Internship
* What could be improved?
  • More free food
  • More required events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how important it was to not be afraid to talk to new people and really try to immerse myself in the new culture.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!