Sweet Briar in Sevilla-Best, most-rewarding, most fun semester of undergrad! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was manageable. It gave students time to truly immerse themselves in Seville. I would do my homework, then meet up with my intercambio (Spanish Exchange), and he would teach me about the city, history, culture, and everything in between. The classes through SB were small and intimate - my professors knew me well. The classes at the University of Sevilla were larger, but the professors took into consideration that we were foreign students and often took time to teach us at an appropriate level. It is a very laxed system - stress free -- a great learning environment.

On-site administration of your program

I felt INCREDIBLY supported while in Sevilla. My program directors, administrators, staff, and faculty were incredible. They were reliable and always accessible. They were constantly in conversation with our host parents as well, and thus knew what was going on in every aspect of our stay -- this ensured we were well cared for, fed, housed, entertained, etc. They also helped us find doctors, should we need them. Since they were locals, they knew everything about the city and surrounding area. They acted as our very knowledgeable mothers and guidance. The program size was small, and we became very close -- we were a family of Spanish-speaking American students that stuck like glue. The program went above and beyond any expectation I had.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My neighborhood was very safe and close to the city center. I was within 20 minutes of EVERYTHING! School, parks, la Catedral, bars, clubs, tea houses, chocolate and ice cream stores, etc. My family was incredible -- my host mother was incredibly accommodating, clean, an incredible cook, and lovely. We are still great friends.

Ate the best food of my life -- EVERY DAY. My host mother cooked for me, and always provided me with 3 meals a day.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Weekend trips with group, and time to have weekend trips independently to other countries! No other program will include so many trips (price included!).

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Seville is a very safe city -- gorgeous -- and open.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

We were required to speak in Spanish to our fellow American colleagues -- this was challenging but overall helpful. All our professors and directors spoke in Spanish to us, and they were very helpful in teaching us, even at a conversational level. I was set up with an "Intercambio" - a Sevillano who was interested in practicing English, and with whom I could practice Spanish. We became great friends and met almost 3-4 times a week to hang out. My host mother also spoke NO English, which was a great way to force me to speak Spanish and we learned from each other. Eventually, with all this Spanish-speaking, I started to think and dream in Spanish!

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

• Small and intimate
• Best city to study in Spain
• Great Host families

• Nothing