Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I want to go back! Past Review

By (Eastern Illinois University) - abroad from 01/27/2019 to 05/15/2019 with

API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Internship Programs in Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained some amazing friends that I will stay in contact with and hopefully come back to see them, or have them come to the United States to see me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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? No

I did enjoy the program, but since I also came to help with a church, I was able to make more personal connections with people. So I would come back to help with the church. I lived in a pueblo outside the city, so I was able to see people on the streets that I knew from the church.

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)

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? 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? Intermediate Spanish 2
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? In the evenings everyone wants to watch Netflix in English. I would watch it in English, but with Spanish subtitles so I was about to learn how to say more slang things in Spanish. Also, I came with to help with a church as well so I made friends in the church that spoke Spanish and English and we were able to help each other

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked that they had excursions planned for us, because I would not have traveled beside myself.
  • I liked it that we were able to stay to see the Feria. I would have liked it better if the exams would have finished before Feria so that I could enjoy Feria and not be stressed about studying
  • The classes were great.
* What could be improved?
  • Finishing classes before Feria.
  • Having more options for classes. I don't know why, but I feel like it woul be cool to take a math or science class in Spanish.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have liked to know how much we would be traveling in the beginning of the program. I did not know we would be that busy when we got to Spain.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'