An Unforgettable Inspiration. Past Review
By A student (Austin College) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/16/2012 with
SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Internship or Service Learning in Seville
The bigger question is what didn't I gain? I have an inner awareness and strength about myself. I pushed the boundaries of my comfort zones to help me realize what it is I want out of life and my own sort of position in life. I can honestly say I came back home having not a single regret.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | N/A |
| 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. |
As I am fluent in Spanish and also pre-med, I was accustomed to being assigned large amounts of course work. Stress wise, it was pretty non existent even if I was taking the most rigorous classes offered. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The time I lost my wallet in Spain, the program generously helped in providing me with a temporary solution. Everyone was also very friendly! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family. They were an amazing group of people. My only regret would be that I would have spent more time with them. Perhaps rather than always being with friends, I wish I could have spent a little more time at home. |
| * Food: |
In addition to being a great group of people, they cooked amazingly. Almost every dinner was given some sort of consideration and was up to par with the best restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My biggest motivation throughout this journey was learning my own position within society. By the end, I found myself fully integrated in the Spanish culture. Upon returning to the United States, I found it was difficult to revert to only speaking and writing in english. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was definitely easily accessible if you needed, however, I never got sick or needed to use it thus I can't review on it's efficiency. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment in which I was afraid for my well-being. For example, I could walk home during the latest hours of the night and never feel fear. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around 200-300 euros/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If in Sevilla, go to 100 Montaditos on wednesdays for cheap drinks and food! Also attempt to eat at home as much as possible, especially if traveling on the weekends. |
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? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Span 250 |
| 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? | Just try, even for me I would gladly help my friends in any ways I could. Use it even in texting! |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I would have known a bit more about the culture. Being Hispanic, I assumed it would be about the same. |
