Seville won my heart! Past Review
By A student (Psychology & Spanish, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/15/2013 to 05/18/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Seville, Spain
I learned to live life at a slower pace to enjoy it to the fullest, meet all kinds of people from different cultures & backgrounds, don't be shy, never have regrets, and do things that will make you happy. It was the most worthwhile experience of my life.
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. |
Would have liked a little more variety in the classes because most of the ones only in Spanish felt like all culture classes instead of focusing on one topic. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with about a 50 yr old host mom who was absolutely amazing. Did a great job with meals and laundry and making us feel at home. She was also really helpful with our Spanish language learning. |
| * Food: |
Always very good, but lacks flavor at times (that's just Spanish food in general though). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Wish I had made more Spanish friends but otherwise I felt almost completely integrated into their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Not as bad of a theft problem as they make it seem, people just want you on the look-out. Always carry a purse that completely zips shut & over-the-shoulder is best. Only somewhat unsafe at night (but that's for any big city). |
| 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) |
Depends on housing situation. I hardly ever ate out so I could safe money for travels and presents to bring home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-100 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have a limit that you would like to spend while abroad before going, only take out a certain amount of money a month and stick to it, and save lots before you go! |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300-level 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? | Try to only take Spanish courses, apply for a host family, and make Spanish friends as soon as you get there (intimidating at first, but they want to learn English too!). |
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? | That the Spaniards are eager to meet and speak with you as well, everyone in the program is probably going through your same struggles so talk about them to others if you need it, and don't worry about money spending..it's all worth it in the end! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
