Sevilla, una ciudad maravillosa Past Review

By (Spanish, Religion, Wartburg College) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was incredibly worthwhile. I learned so much about meeting people where they are in their language barriers and how it can affect me and my profession.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload was appropriate and allowed the students to be able to explore the city rather than be studying all hours of the day and night.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Strengths: Spanish only policy, native speakers, travel opportunities, time to learn about culture. Weakness: not a whole lot

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Fantastic food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Going to soccer games, one of the best experiences in Spain.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe no matter what time of day or night.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? spend wisely, don't buy some things like shoes and other similar items because in Europe these things will be a lot more expensive than they would in the U.S. I would advise maybe a couple of bigger purchases but not many.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level courses
Language acquisition improvement?

I used Spanish all the time with anyone and everyone I met

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Speaking Spanish
  • Seeing and meeting so many people and places
  • Cultural Immersion
* What could be improved?
  • More diligence about Spanish-only rule