Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My true home Past Review

By (Accounting & Finance, University of Louisville) - abroad from 05/21/2014 to 07/26/2014 with

ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Too much was learned for words. The amount of personal growth and inner peace I experienced was amazing. It was beyond worthwhile.

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.

Best and most interesting classes I have ever taken.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Staff was amazing. Went above and beyond to help us out.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family.

* Food:

I miss it everyday!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Staying with a host family made me feel very integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any experiences with health care but they seemed adequate.

* Safety:

I felt safer abroad than I do at home.

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)

You can budget all you want but money is spent very easily abroad.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 250 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Honestly I don't. I spent a lot of money but it was worth it. My only advice is to bring as many day to day items as possible so you don't have to buy them abroad.

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

I took only business classes but the staff encouraged us to speak the language with them and my host mom only spoke Spanish so I had to use it constantly with her.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 202
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? Read Spanish books, listen to Spanish music and try your hardest to minimize speaking 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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Everything, honestly!
* What could be improved?
  • It would have been nice to live closer to school.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have spoken more Spanish while there.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!