Sevilla: Makes you appreciate everything life has to offer. Past Review
By Nicole W (Marketing & International Business, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
My study abroad experience was 100% worth it. I wish I had decided to study abroad for 1 year. I feel after being abroad I have a better understanding of different cultures and places in Europe. I feel like I grew as a person and matured a lot and I am more independent. I want to go back to Europe again and travel as much as I can. I absolutely love it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought the workload was fairly easy. Which I really liked because it gave me a chance to travel etc. However, when it came to exams, I did have to study a lot. Teaching methods were pretty similar to back at school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought our program leaders were awesome! They were so nice, they helped us with Spanish, their english was very good. The also really cared about everyone and were very helpful. I couldnt have asked for a better group of leaders. I thought the program size was very good and all my classes furthered my expectations. All my expectations were met! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I thought my location was great. I lived right in triana off of the river. The walk to class was really easy, I felt like it was a great location and I loved my host family. I felt very safe in me neighborhood and I was close to a lot of bars as well. I didnt need to buy much expect for small things like shampoo, etc. My host family was amazing, they were so nice and they really made my experience worthwhile. |
| * Food: |
I had a lot of food allergies and my host mom was very understanding and very careful which was very nice. She gave us food every day and more than enough food! I never felt hungry and she always made good food. Some places I would recommend: Coloniales & Cien Montaditos |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really liked all the places we visited. The only place I didnt like was Cordoba. Traveling was so amazing, seeing different places and getting an understanding of different cultures is something that will last with me forever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sevilla is very safe. I felt like out of most cities I visited I felt the most safe there and it felt like my home. I have a lot of allergies and at one point I needed to see a doctor. My program leaders were very helpful. Healthcare in Spain was more difficlt than at home. The pharmacia was a lot different and I wouldnt have been able to go to a doctor without one of my program leaders. I didnt need any vaccines and I have a lot of allergies with |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family. I needed to use Spanish every single day while I was abroad. When the ISA group was together we all spoke English. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think a student who is looking for a big city but not a city as big as Barcelona. If I were to give a student advice I would tell them it is a good program to be able to experience a city that isnt very americanized. |
