Living and Learning Past Review
By Seth W (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Presbyterian College) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 05/17/2013 with
Pablo de Olavide University: Seville - Multidisciplinary Studies Program
It was very worthwhile.
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. |
Courses were challenging but not overwhelming. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was very helpful but unorganized at times. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! |
| * Food: |
Food was great, but there wasn't a lot of variety. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any experiences that required healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Sevilla. |
| 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) |
For Europe, southern Spain is cheap. Living with a host family also helped. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | € 30/ week or less. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out a lot. Walk instead of taking taxis. |
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 |
Depending on the course, the language was/wasn't a big proponent. It was encouraged, however. And getting around the city required a certain level of Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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 Gen Ed. |
| 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? | Make local friends and live with a host family. Practice all the time. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There are close to 400 Americans, which slightly impedes on the "international" experience. |
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.' |
