How Sevilla Changed My Life Past Review
By Alison G (Marketing., Providence College) for
CIEE: Seville - International Business & Culture
Studying in Spain has honestly changed my life. I learned more about myself in those five months than I had in the previous 21 years of my life. I am now more outgoing, confident, and open minded. I can see the world through the eyes of others, and not only though the eyes of a middle class American. After studying in Sevilla, I constantly think about traveling the rest of the world. Being in Europe opened so many doors, and I now hope to spend time teaching english in foreign countries. The diea of being able to help others learn, while learning new cultures excites me. In the past, the idea of leaving my comfort zone was terrifying, but now its my most prominent dream.
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 workload was very different than Providence College. Almost all of my grade was based upon the midterms and finals, and there was little busy work. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program director was very nice, and quick to respond to emails which was very helpful. She also is originally from the UNited States, so she understood problems that we were having adjusting to life in Spain. However, it was often difficult to find her on campus, and to actaully coordinate times to meet with her. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a modern area of Sevilla called Nervion. The area that I lived was wonderful because I was located near a metro stop, as well as many shops and bars. However, it was far from the CIEE study center, whi at times was difficult. My family was wonderful, but I wish I had lived closer to the center of the city. |
| * Food: |
I am a fairly picky eater, so eating with a family that forced new foods to me was at times uncomfortable. However, I tried everything they gave me, and they were very understanding if I did not like certain foods. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Spanish people are fun-loving. They like to go to bars, dance all night, and do not worry too much about school work. It was refreshing to live in an environment that was not totally absorbed in the future, but rather appreciated the present. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
It was difficult getting assistance when I broke my foot in Spain, because althoguh my program told me where to go, no one working in the local hospitals spoke english. I normally was fine with using Spanish, but when I couldn't communicate my health issues, it was frustrating. Sevilla itself is very safe. I felt comfortable walking everywhere during the day, and even taking the metro home by myself at night. I never experienced any problems with crime, and the locals are overall friendly. |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be careful with the wiehgt and size of baggage when flying. ALthough flights are cheap, it becomes very expensive if bags need to be checked instead of carried on. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student with low levels of spanish knowledge, that wants to greatly improve their language skills, but are still able to take classes in english. |
