Viva Mi Sevilla! Past Review
By Audrey W (Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 01/27/2019 to 05/15/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Universidad de Sevilla
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned how to be more independent and work on my communication skills in a different language. Additionally, I was able to broaden my horizons by traveling to different countries and learning new cultures.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed the amount of work and how it was incorporated into the history around us. They were a great amount of fun and interesting. I love my classes their. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all wonderful and were the most helpful with any types of questions. They made me feel like family. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family and the house were great. They made me feel at home and their house was spacious. They had a rooftop that had a great view and a nice garden. |
| * Food: |
I really enjoyed the food and the different variety. It allowed me to try new foods and my host family were great cooks. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really enjoyed the city and felt very integrated. I was able to give directions like a local, practice my Spanish daily, and had regular places that I would go. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any major health issues during the program however, I know they were readily available for foreign students. |
| * Safety: |
It felt very safe and a lot of people were out at night due to their nightlife. I would still recommend going out with friends or staying in a group just in case, |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
They were very helpful throughout the process and made sure we were taken care of abroad. |
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) |
It depends on how well that you budget your gifts, expenses, and outside trips. I wish that I would have prepared better but was still able to enjoy my time abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I had a host family and they cooked most of our meals. I would say I spent about 50 euros a week. This depended on whether I went out with friends and if I bought any groceries or ice cream. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would get a credit card that has zero foreign transaction fees. I would use my card when I could and then pay it off through my bank account. It helped with the fees for debit card withdrawals as well. |
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 |
They always encouraged us to use it in our courses and during our excursions. It was nice to be able to practice with people that we trusted. My host family also encouraged us to use Spanish as much as we could because practice made perfect. |
| 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? | Spanish 3 |
| 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 not be afraid to use it as much as you can. A lot of the locals understand that you are practicing and want to help. Especially, being a part of a host family it was a great way to practice. |
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? | More about the different visa processes; Knowing that I needed to make an appointment before I booked a flight. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
