Time of my life Past Review
By A student (Bates College) - abroad from 05/01/2017 to 06/23/2017 with
ELA Sevilla: Seville - Experiential Learning in Spain
I became more confident in my ability to travel alone, in my ability to speak spanish, and in my ability to meet new people
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved the program, the teachers I had were wonderful - super fun, really enjoyed teaching and helping me learn. |
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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 was placed with the most fabulous host mom. She made me feel like I was in my own home, loved conversing with me about anything and everything, and cooked some amazing food. We have kept in touch, and I plan on visiting her this semester while I am abroad again. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I visited her family's caseta for the feria de abril and met her family and friends, who were all wonderful and very welcoming |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Super safe, never felt uncomfortable, even while walking around at night when I got lost. |
| 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) |
sevilla is a pretty cheap city, you can live there on a budget pretty comfortably |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | if you want to save money on food, you can find cheap stuff at supermarkets. Be mindful of how much money you spend on drinks |
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 |
| 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 with locals, meet new people. |
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? |
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? | It's best if you throw yourself into it and really commit. Don't waste any time because it will fly by |
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.' |
