Time Flies When You're Studying Abroad Past Review
By Kamryn K (Spanish Language and Literature., Wartburg College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/10/2014 with
SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville
It was a great experience that was definitely worthwhile! I improved my language skills and learned about a really neat foreign culture.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Of course it was challenging on a lot of levels, since we were speaking in Spanish throughout all of our courses - my main comment is that it didn't seem as "difficult" as a lot of courses I've taken in the US. I feel that this was largely on purpose, to allow us to experience the culture more, but it made me feel like I wasn't as academically engaged during the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
At times it seemed a little disorganized, but it wasn't bad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great! |
| * Food: |
Spanish food is A M A Z I N G. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was lucky and only had a cold - I had no problems getting medicine or finding a pharmacy. |
| * Safety: |
I felt perfectly safe, even if it was 3 am and I was walking around by myself. |
| 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) |
It just depends on what you want to do. You could easily spend $50/week or less, probably. (It's hard for me to judge because I tried to go somewhere outside the city every weekend I could.) |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | If it's evened out, probably $150. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do your research! Sometimes an extra hour on the bus will save you a lot of money. Having a buddy can help too, especially when traveling. |
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 |
All day every day. Solo en español. :) |
| 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? | A junior-level (300) grammar course. |
| 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? | When they encourage you to speak ONLY in that language, do it. |
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?
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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? | They always say this anyway, but soak it in! Time flies, and you'll be home before you know it. |
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.' |
