Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Worthwhile Experience. Past Review

By (Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General., Providence College) - abroad from 01/15/2013 to 06/07/2013 with

CIEE: Seville - Advanced Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was worthwhile. I think I learned more about myself and it helped me be a more independent person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

No American I met was actually satisfied with their direct enrollment courses at the University of Seville.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

There was very little variety of food and I pretty much had to eat whatever my host family wanted me to eat, whether I liked it or not.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program gave a good overview of health care during the program orientation. Also, when I had to go see an eye doctor, the program assisted me a lot and even helped me set up an appointment.

* Safety:

I felt the city was very safe overall.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to only spend money when it helps you get out and meet up with people, not for snacks or drinks for yourself.

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

They encouraged the use of the language all the time.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? 400 level literature course
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? Talking to people in restaurants and bars was actually the best way for me to practice the language.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff was very nice.
  • I liked the other students in the program.
  • The program center was very pretty.
* What could be improved?
  • There could be much more assistance and guidance with direct enrollment courses.
  • They could allow you to take one less direct enrollment course and one more CIEE program center course with other American students.
  • They could arrange more mandatory group activities.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I now know that choosing a host family is not the only option for my program, although at my university and in the program literature it was presented as the far and away best option. I also know that choosing direct enrollment courses for the university of seville doesn't matter as much because they're not what you think they will be and most students end up disliking or hating those courses anyways.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!