The best 4 months of my life Past Review
By Tyler S (University of Wisconsin - Stout) - abroad from 01/24/2018 to 05/25/2018 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Seville, Spain
I learned a lot about myself and my overall ability to live on my own. You have a lot of time to reflect on things you've done and things you've yet to do. You learn how to thrive outside of your comfort zone and be okay when you're alone in a difficult situation. I think my best takeaway has to do with the fact that a lot of my best friends in the program I never would have thought twice about in the states. You become friends with people completely unlike you, people who you truly wouldn't have met in any other circumstance, but they end up being the people closest to you - it's amazing!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They make the classes simple enough for you to not really need to worry about things like that - they want to you to travel and have the time of your life. |
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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? |
Housing was incredible, I was in a smaller part of Sevilla called Triana, where I lived with 6 other American Students, 3 girls and 4 guys total. We had our own place, and a house mom that lived about six doors down from us! |
| * Food: |
Tapas culture - best culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very comfortable within the local culture of Sevilla, the people were very welcoming and accommodating. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare was pretty accessible, they had given us information on all of this at the beginning of the program, but I had some trouble getting that information later on when I did get a little sick and felt I needed some medical help. I just wish it would have been a little more accessible when I did end up getting sick. |
| * Safety: |
Safety was great, people don't bother you if you don't bother them. Truly - just don't do dumb $h!7 and you'll be great! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
CEA made things very accessible, and made you feel right at home. Their facility was amazing, and the staff even better than that. Their programs directly related to my home programs, and they truly value the experience that you take away at the end of the program. |
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) |
I saved up for a LONG time before going abroad - but experiences are expensive, just be smart with your money! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget before you go, always assume it may cost a little more than you expect. Don't waste your money on material things like clothes all the time - invest it in an experience! |
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? | 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 (400 level) |
| 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? | DuoLingo was an app that I used quite a bit that helped a lot! Also just try not to shy away from using the language, use what you know, make gestures, try! A lot of people just never tried, and they would have gotten much better if they had given it a shot. |
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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* 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 they have magic powers that don't really make you want to leave. Also, that their going-away dinner was only little tapas and no alcohol was served - but really that's nothing it was just a bummer. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
