No Quiero Dejar Sevilla!! Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Government., Presbyterian College) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/17/2013 with
Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
I learn that every place had their own values and traditions, and I most definitely think that this experience was worth; I wish I could do this all over again.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were challenging but helpful in learning Spanish better, the professors there were very nice and helped me anyway they could, and the staff of their International Office was very helpful in situation I had about transportation, housing, or where to go on weekends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was very helpful with me getting settled into housing and getting along in my classes. They made me feel better about some of the doubts I was having about classes with their free tutors on-site. The administration was just a huge help, while I was abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied with my housing arrangement. My host was or is a really sweet lady, who made me feel at home anyway she knew how to, and she would offer me to cook with her, which I did a time or two. Also, she would invite me to go places with her and her friends or family, so I got a good bit of cultural emersion. The only problem I ever had was with her cat a few times, but in the end, we all got along. |
| * Food: |
I absolutely loved the food that was served in Spain, both at my host home and out in the city. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
After being in Spain for a month, I felt like a Spaniard. I was going to grocery store on my own and getting tapas with the locals. I felt like integrated perfectly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I feel like Sevilla is very safe place to be, but as always it is encouraged to be vigilant because there are problems in every city. So, in short, as a young female, who went to nightclubs late at night, I did not feel worried at all. I felt very safe going out at night. |
| 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) |
I think it is fairly easy to live on a student's budget here because food is generally not that expensive being that you get fed at your host home; however, if you decide to go out and grab something it would be no more than 8 euro. Also, being a student in college, frugality is always encouraged, so the same goes for being abroad. You just have to budget smartly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent no more than 10 euro a week on food, I mostly ate at home with my host mom. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | My advice for saving money or budgeting money, while abroad, is try not to go out to eat every other day, maybe just on the weekends. Also, before you leave home, be sure to add extra traveling, outside of your program, into your budget because you are going to want to travel, other places, whether if it's just the next city over. But I would encourage you to write out your monthly budget or weekly budget and figure out the amount of money you need for your essential items( transportation, personals, phone minutes,etc.) Then factor in the not so essential items(extra-curr. travel, shopping, going out to eat, manicure,etc.) Basically, just think: "I have to be here for # more months" |
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 |
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| 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? | SPAN 306 |
| 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? | I would advise you to utilize their intercambio program they have, that helps. Also, you can just have regular conversations with your host family, and even when you go out just try to make that effort to go and use the language. But basically, just have confidence in yourself, and don't be afraid to at least attempt to hold a conversation with an individual of that language; 9/10 they will help you and not be mean about it. |
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? | The amount of strikes they have in the country. I mean it would not have changed my mind, but it would not have shocked me as much. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
