Lifetime Memories of Language, Culture, and Travel Past Review
By Andrew G (Accounting and Related Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 05/18/2013 with
CIEE: Seville - International Business & Culture
I could write a book about what I learned, so I won't get into the huge details but learned an immense amount of language, culture, travel, etc. Yes, it was worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I think our program does the best job in regards to housing students. Any complaints by the students are seriously looked into and they do not hesitate to offer new housing arrangements to the students if need be. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I never spoke English, and spent my entire time with my host brothers and family. It was exactly what I was looking for out of my abroad experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not have any health issues, so just gave it 5 stars. |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Apply for scholarships if you can. This is what made my abroad experience feasible. |
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? | Intermediate Level I |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Stop hanging out with Americans and hang out with your family. I love walking around Seville and running into my host brothers friends, who are now my friends. I've built incredible relationships through my host family and I genuinely feel like I belong here. I wish other American students would do the same as opposed to just hanging out in massive groups because this experience for me has been invaluable. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | I feel like Bentley had prepared me really well for my trip abroad, as well as CIEE did with video tutorials prior to my departure. I knew what I was getting myself into before arriving in Sevilla. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
