Experience of a Lifetime! Past Review

By (Exercise Science, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 06/14/2013 to 07/26/2013 with

GlobalEd: Seville - Summer Internship Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about different cultures and how other people live. I learned about how the healthcare system works in Europe verses the United States. Most importantly, I learned about myself, and it was a great time to grow personally in all aspects of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned so much throughout my 6 weeks in Spain! Not only did I have the chance to learn about different cultures, but I gained valuable experience working in a physical therapy clinic & multiple hospitals. It was really neat to learn about the differences in the health care system between Spain and the United States. My eyes were opened to a lot of new things!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration of my program was wonderful! It was really great to have Steven Davis and his team right in Seville. They helped to make the transition easier and provided resources/activities to enhance the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with my living arrangements. I had the option to live in an apartment with other students or live with a host family, and I chose the latter. This allowed me to be fully immersed in the Spanish culture and really take advantage of bettering my Spanish communication skills.

* Food:

For the most part, the food was great! Living with a host family gave me the opportunity to try a lot of traditional Spanish dishes. There were only a few things that I didn't like.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Like I previously stated, living with a host family allowed me to feel much more integrated with the local culture than if I were to live in an apartment with other American students. The culture in Seville is very unique, and I took advantage of many of the cultural events that were happening while I was there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not experience any health issues, but I had a plan in place through GlobalEd if anything were to happen.

* Safety:

Seville was a very safe city to live in. As with many cities in Europe, you just have to be aware of your belongings and where you are. I would also make sure not to walk alone at night. I never once felt like I was in harm though!

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

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of my program, but I have decided to change career paths, so I don't think that I would do the same program.

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)

I did not have any big issues living on a student's budget. I was fortunate enough that my parents helped me pay for most of the trip. It was also nice living with a host family, because although part of my programs fees went towards paying for a meal plan, I did not have to go out to eat every night.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$75 on average
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can be cautious of what you are spending, but to be honest, it may be one of the only times you get to experience being abroad, so enjoy it! There are so many neat things to see and experience, and it's worth it to spend a little extra on some of those things. It won't make a huge difference in the long run.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Much of the program encouraged me to use the native language. My internship work was done in hospitals and a physical therapy clinic where most of the doctors spoke Spanish. This really challenged me to use what Spanish I knew and to learn new things. Additionally, I spoke almost entirely in Spanish when I was at home with my host family. I tried to place myself in situations where I had to speak Spanish so that I could improve upon my speaking skills.

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? Spanish 202-Interm Spanish II
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? It was definitely uncomfortable and a little intimidating at times when trying to communicate with natives, but you are not going to improve unless you practice. Speak Spanish (or whatever the native language is) as much as you can and know that it's ok to make mistakes!

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
  • International Students
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?
  • Being immersed in the culture by living with a host family
  • Having the opportunity to travel to other places in Europe on the weekends
  • You could tailor the program to what your interests/passions were.
* What could be improved?
  • Some days when I went to work, I felt like I was more just observing and not getting the chance to do hands on work.
  • I would have liked to take a Spanish class at the university for more than 1 week so that I could meet more students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing really stands out to me. You can only prepare so much, and the rest is an adventure!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.