Past Review
By Yuehong F (economics, Rice University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Seville - Universidad Pablo de Olavide
global citizen. definitely worthwhile. i had the time of my life there.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Two of the four professors I had were truly amazing. The biochemistry professor is the best science professor I've ever had (comparing to Rice). But the international finance professor made it very easy for us, so easy that I feel like the class was a waste of time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
sometimes their demeanor is impatient and the office's equipment (such as printer, computer) often breaks down. But otherwise the staff is pretty helpful and you basically can get the help if you seek it out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
in the old city center (very cool house with patio). but the host family did not let us involve in their everyday life very much. <br /><br /> the neighborhood is very safe, i often walk home midnight to early morning. and it's the old city center, so close to everything, and the real european old city feel. far from school though, takes an hour to get there (including walking). |
| * Food: |
food was really delicious, what can you say, it's spain. :) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
like the moroccan trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
i didn't have health issue. some friends in the program had health issues or safety issues, but were helped by the program staff. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't buy too many souvenirs, will overweigh on the plane. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | intermediate I |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
most spaniards in my city do not speak english, at least not well. so it's a good environment. but i feel like except for going out at night, there's not much involvement in the city or university. my host family wasn't particularly helpful either. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | reach out to the locals. |
