API made my experience much better Past Review
By Ryan G (Political science, Pacific University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Universidad de Sevilla
The experience that API provided me has encouraged me to try to go abroad again. I plan on teaching in the region in the near future. Not only has the experience raised my level of spanish, I now understand the European culture much better.
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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 had just the right amount of work to keep me focused and to keep me learning, but it still allowed me to enjoy the new culture and city. I had enough time to make new local friends and spend time with them instead of being locked in my room studying all night. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a problem with my grade in one of my classes, this was not the fault of API but the University. The director in seville worked until she was able to get me the grade that i deserved. Even at my level of spanish at that point, I do not think that I would have been able to get the grade changed without her help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing location. Although I was exactly 15min away from any place that my friends and I tended to go, except for the river which was just on the other side of my building. I do wish that there was a younger family member, but my host brother was really nice to talk with. |
| * Food: |
I eat everything so my host family loved that. I feel that any 'tapas' bar around the city is great. Some of the best was levi's or los conoliales. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was always a joke with other programs. They knew that API was going to get the good seats. I had friends in other programs on the top of the bull ring in the sun, while API put us much closer and in the shade for most of the match. The same happened a the concert we attended. The best though was the trips to Paris and Marrakesh that API paid for in addition to 3 other smaller over-night trips and multiple day trips. API is the best by far when it comes to what you get for your money. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never got seriously sick. I was a little bit a few days, and my host family took care of me. I never needed API in an emergency situation, but I had the emergency number in my phone and my wallet at all times just in case. I know other people who called the number even at 1am and there was a response right away. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
API helped me improve my language immensely. Not only did speak in spanish in the University, but with all of the API directors. The most important thing that API did was find me a language exchange partner. Through this partner i had many other friends in the city and he was really helped me to excel my language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | If you want to enjoy traveling, learn about the culture, LEARN from school, and learn the language, API is it. |
