It is easy to travel and study while in Spain Past Review

By (Spanish And Secondary Education, Providence College) for

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was the most amazing experience of my life and I am so glad I did it! I got to see and do so many amazing things when I was there. I not only traveled throughout Spain, but I also got to go to Portugal,Italy and Morocco. I also met so many incredible people during my time there and have made lifelong friends, both Spanish and American. Also, my Spanish improved so much during my time in Sevilla and I still plan to major in Spanish and Secondary education.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Spring 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I did not find the coordinator of the Teaching Development Program to be that helpful. He was very nice, but did not really prepare us well for our certain aspects of our class with him. Also, the trips that we took through the program were not well organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a single, older woman. She was amazing and was like a mother to me. I loved living with her and would highly recommend living with a "senora" or a host family. Also, I lived in Triana, which was an amazing part of Sevilla to live in. <br /><br /> My housing experience was excellent.

* Food:

My senora was a great cook. Also, I tend to be a picky eater, but I tried everything and if I didn't like something I would just be honest and explain to my senora that I didn't like it, so then she wouldn't make that anymore.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program would send out a weekly bulletin of things going on around Sevilla and programs available to us.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I did get sick for a little while when I was abroad and my senora took really good care of me, although i did not go to a health clinic. Also, I felt really safe in Sevilla and never encountered anything that made me feel unsafe, which was nice since I walked everywhere.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

I was already pretty profitient in Spanish before studying abroad since it is my major, however I feel like i got even better and much more confident in my Spanish speaking abilities after studying in Sevilla.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Get out and explore the city as much as possible and talk to the locals. I learned so much more by going out and interacting with the people of Sevilla than I did by taking classes there.