More than I could have dreamed or imagined Past Review

By (Biology, General., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 06/19/2012 with

CIEE: Seville - Advanced Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
More than anything, I learned about my own culture and how incredibly different the American mindset is. I loved learning about the way of life there and how different it was from my own.

Review Photos

CIEE: Seville - Advanced Liberal Arts Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universidad de Sevilla
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 10 to 20 euros a week, not including travel
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I highly recommend keeping a budget. Anytime you spend money, write it down. You will be surprised how quickly you can go through money- and keeping track of it will help you spread your money out throughout your time abroad

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Upper division
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? You are going to feel awkward at first when speaking another language, but its completely normal. You will never improve your grammar or your accent without practice. Native speakers will appreciate your effort and they are always very supportive and would never made fun of you for making a mistake.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • They very much emphasized using the native language and making friends with locals, and they did a great job of giving us opportunities to do so.
* What could be improved?
  • More help with course selection and knowing which professors to take.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known how many Americans went to the city where I studied- I wish I had gone somewhere less common.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'