Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Life Changing Experience in Seville Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 02/01/2018 to 05/11/2018 with

SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can communicate in Spanish better.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Seville is an affordable city. My money went very far.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 35
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget budget budget

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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Honors Spanish in high school. And refresher courses at the university.
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? The program offers speaking partners. It is a great way to meet people and practice speaking in a judgment free environment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The mandatory and optional trips were really fun.
  • How helpful the program was
* What could be improved?
  • The people who take courses in English were separated from the ones who take courses in Spanish. I did not meet a lot of people in the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was terrified when I got to Seville. I was incredibly anxious and worried about everything. I wish I knew that there was no need to be scared. I also wish I knew that in some areas in Spain (Seville being one of them), the locals are not used to seeing people of color. I did get stared at a ton and got asked a few uncomfortable questions.