Open Your Mind Past Review
By Brittany B (Spanish Language and Literature., The University of Texas at Austin) for
CIEE: Seville - Advanced Liberal Arts
Studying abroad is no doubt something everyone should do. You learn so much about other cultures as well as yourself. I cannot even put into words how studying abroad has affected me. When I graduate in December, I will not take a job that does not involve international participation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There is no organization to the education system. Like I stated before, the students and teachers seem like they are against each other. Students talk when the professor gives a presentation and attendance is not a serious matter. The first 3 months of school is a breeze...no work, just notes. At the end of the semester, you are hit with project, tests, and a ton of work. A difference from the U.S. system is that one test determines your entire grade for the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The whole program administration was super nice and super helpful!! Juli, who was in charge of the Advanced Liberal Arts program, was very efficient of getting things done. I was very satisfied with the administration. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host dad was rude and therefore I did not want to converse with him and practice my Spanish. I did not like going home everyday. I had to buy my own lunches because what they gave me for food was unacceptable. Knowing what I know now..I should have changed families asap. The walk to school was 45 minutes, but all the houses were just about that far. |
| * Food: |
One of my friends is a vegetarian and because pork is very popular it was hard to be a vegetarian in Spain. Where to dine: T de Triana, Los Coloniales, Las Columnas, Rodilla |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Program trip to Granada! Absolutely wonderful! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city is safe but theives still exist. If you pay attention and are smart, you will have no problems. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would eliminate the cost to transfer the credit from an affiliate program to my home university. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4th year or 7th semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We had exchanges with other local spanish students. In Sevilla, not a lot of people speak English so you are forced to use the language to interact with others. That is one of the reasons that I chose Sevilla because it is less international and I would be able to really speak Spanish--unlike in Barcelona. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any Spanish major or minor who can be away from home for a long period of time to learn the language and culture. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Marketing |
| Course Department: | BUSI 3101 SEBS |
| Instructor: | Angel Curro |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The lecture notes were already prepared for the students. However, for "case studies" the professor did not allow much time to prepare for the group power point presentation. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The credit has not arrived yet. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Geography of the Iberian Peninsula |
| Course Department: | Geografía e Historia |
| Instructor: | Sanchez Rodríguez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Professor puts all the lecture slides online and makes an effort that the American students understand the material. However, it is a lot of material. I would say my favorite class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Critica Literaria |
| Course Department: | Filología hispanica |
| Instructor: | Noel Rivas |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Great professor! No complains about this class! Very laid back and very qualified in all areas of literature. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Siglo de Lope de Vega |
| Course Department: | Filología hispanica |
| Instructor: | Mercedes Flores |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | There was a lot of reading material. 7 plays to read that could potentially be on the test. However, Sevilla was symbolic in this class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
