The best five months of my LIFE Past Review

By (University of Missouri - Saint Louis) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

Adelante: Seville - Semester, Summer and Intern in Seville

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My Spanish improved more than I imagined it would, and I fell in love with Seville, Spain, and the Spaniards. It was the best spent five months of my life.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was placed in a wonderful home only a minute's walk from the nearest metro stop. My host mom is a wonderful person who I've come to consider my very own Spanish grandma, and she took very good care of me during my time there.

* 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? 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Usually nothing, but on occasion $10-20.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? -

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 2180 - Readings in 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? Make friends with Spanish students! The university where I studied provided many opportunities for this, especially the intercambio program, which paired us with Spaniards and encouraged us to meet and spend time together in the city. I learned so much from my intercambio and made a good friend. Also, don't be afraid to chat with your host family!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Housing and meals were provided, but I still had enough freedom to travel and dine out as I pleased.
  • Classes were structured much like those of American universities, so I felt right at home academically.
* What could be improved?
  • -
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known that I would end up wanting to stay even longer!