A life changing ride Past Review

By (COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES., Point Loma Nazarene University) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Seville, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. It helped me gain more independence and experience and appreciate and new and different culture.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Seville CEA global Campus
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are great but the intensity is at a minimum which gives you the opportunity to travel and experience the culture of Spain more fully.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They pair you perfectly with a family you will grow to love!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I LOVED being with a host family. They were amazing and it was key to me learning spanish and getting connected with the culture in Spain.

* Food:

Tapas are great! Spaniards like their potatoes so get ready for lots of starch!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Due to my host family and taking flamenco classes I felt very integrated in the spanish 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)

It is doable but you have to be very careful when traveling because it adds up fast!

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? record everything and remember to convert from euros to dollars so you know exactly how much you are spending at all times.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 4
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? Talk to your host families and the citizens of Spain. It is the only way you wil learn it!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • host family
  • traveling
  • flamenco dance classes and feria
* What could be improved?
  • class organization
  • spanish immersion activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how important it is to dive into your experience from day 1 because it goes faster than you realize