Eye Opening and a learning experience in Seville Past Review
By Lindsey J (B.A in Communication, Psychology & Peace Studies, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) - abroad from 12/28/2015 to 01/17/2015 with
UW-Platteville Education Abroad at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE)
It was worth my time and I do not regret going at all. It was the perfect amount of time for my particular goals.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was all the help you could possibly need within SAIIE institution and staff. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was wonderful and extremely helpful. The best part is that they were all really easy to talk too. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living situation couldn't have been better. At first I was really worried about living in someone else's home but the host family was extremely friendly. Even though I could not speak their language they were very patient with me. |
| * Food: |
The food was not really my favorite and wasn't what I was expecting but I tried everything that was given to me. It was not bad but it was not the best thing I had. It was just something that I was not use too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sine I was there for only a short period of time, I did not feel that integrated within the culture but I will say I was as integrated as I could be. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
the SAIIE staff was helpful when I came down with a little bit of a cold. The staff gave me all the right direction when I didn't know what to do for a vaccine. |
| * Safety: |
I went there thinking I needed a money belt the entire time, and I didn't. The town is extremely safe, so safe I wasn't afraid to go walk alone. |
| 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) |
2.5 |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I am not sure how much I spent each week but I spent a total of 1000 in 3 weeks. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | dont exchange money in the airport! Just take out 50 euro in the atm everyday. It will last you a good 3 to 4 days if you're not spending money like crazy. |
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 |
5 |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 4th year of high school spanish. |
| 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? | do intercambios. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Bring clothing for warmth. The buildings are built to keep the heat out so at night it gets chilly. |
