An Amazing Experience in Sevilla Past Review

By (Communications Studies - Human Relations, The University of Texas at Austin) for

CIEE: Seville - Summer Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience proved me with cultural awareness and I have future plans to return to the city because it was so amazing. I had a great time meeting other Americans and interacting with Spanish locals while learning more about the cultural and the language.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was about the same although grading was a little different because their grading ranges (A-B, B-C, etc.) differ and work that may be considered an A here would recieve a lower amount of point but still be considered good work. I enjoyed the teaching methods because they were very hands on and we took many trips to experience the history and lessons we were learning. Major differences that I noticed were in grading and a different teaching style because we had a lot to learn in a small amount of time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The host administration was awesome. They were very helpful with anything a student needed and easily available. They were also very approachable and knowledgeable in both English and Spanish. They made the transition so much easier and were always very supportive. The exceeded my expectations and were constantly on top of things and got everything done in a timely manner.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a senora and the housing was great. I was in a safe neighborhood that was in a great location and close to many main attractions. I did not need to buy anything upon moving in and only bought toiletries when I needed to. My senora was very friendly and treated me like family.

* Food:

The food was great. My senora cooked many local dishes so I was able to experience Spanish food but also provided American condiments like Ketchup.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The weekend trips arranged by the program were great. They provided transporation, rooms, and spending money and it was a great experience. Trips that were organized by the students with local tourist companies were great also and very easy to organize. We went to Morocco and Portugal with International Party Sevilla and We Love Spain, two different tourist companies that catered to students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city was very safe and the area was nice to walk around during the day and night. I did not need any vaccines for this trip but I recommend packing bug spray because there were mosquitoes and bug spray over there is expensive!

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? No, the price was reasonable for everything that was provided.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 3
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced with other students, professors, staff and CIEE, locals, and the woman I lived with. I used the language in everyday interactions but many people did speak English.

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Have fun! Be sure to walk around the city and explore everything. It is an amazing place.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Spanish

Course Department: Spanish 2010
Instructor: Luis Rocio
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The course was just challenging enough and offered a new way of learning that I had not seen before. We did go on a couple of field trips that were relevant to the course work and very fun. The teacher was very knowledgeable and well-prepared everyday. I participated in class more because there were fewer students and it was a more intimate setting.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

The Legacy of Al-Andalus

Course Department: SOCI 3002
Instructor: Angel de Quinta
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was great. We took a different field trip everyday relevant to what we were studying and got to explore a lot of the area. The teacher was great and had a uniqe style of teaching. I was very involved with the class and loved the exploring the city part that occured everyday.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.