Sevilla, a true Spanish experience in the heart of Spain Past Review
By Laura C (International Business., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/12/2012 to 05/19/2012 with
CIEE: Seville - International Business & Culture
Learned the art of relaxation spanish style. It was defnitley an enriching experience, that was 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Pablo Olivide |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes weren't that difficult. CIEE staff is VERY helpfull. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful and accomadating. Genuinley care about how you're adapting in the country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really liked my host family, there were very few people who switched host families because they were poor matches. |
| * Food: |
I had a really well balanced taste of spain. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had an intercambio who i didn't really keep up with, other than that I just hung out with my American friends and a Spanish friend primarially. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick and my insurance covered everything. Antibiotics are cheap even for non-residents plus healthcare in Spain is very good. I think I paid 86 EUROS for a doctors visit at my host families house. ...very cheap, if you ask me. |
| * Safety: |
I never ever felt in danger. There really isn't a place you can go and feel unsafe in Sevilla. |
| 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) |
other than personal items and travel expenses... it's super cheap. we got 3 meals a day, transport. stipend, and a few included trips |
| * 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? | 50-300 euro, but i bought a lot of stuff, and i traveled to a lot of expensive places like Italy, Scotland and Sweden |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | write down all of your expenses in a book to keep track of your expenditures and figuring out what you're spending the most on i.e. if you buy cafe con leche every day after class, it can add up and you might not realize it unless you write it down.... keep track of your atm cash withdraws in general |
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 |
They'll work with you, and usually speak only Spanish to you, but are understanding if you need to explain something in English or your native 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? | Intermediate II Spanish |
| 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? | Speak it as much as possible. Don't hang out with Americans. Make tons of spanish friends. Be ballsy, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. |
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? | 0 |
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? | get more involved with Spaniards |
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.' |
