If I could do it again, I would. Past Review
By A student (Marketing And Spanish, Villanova University) - abroad from 01/17/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
CIEE: Seville - Business + Society
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I gained and learned so much, personally, culturally, academically. I think everyone needs to study abroad. You gain a new level of confidence that can only be attained through an experience like this. You meet people and now have contacts across the globe. It is the best way to perfect language skills. It was my favorite, most memorable, most challenging, and most unique semester.
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. |
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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? |
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* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not applicable |
* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Food was provided by my homestay, however a lot of social outings involved food and drinks. Travel was also a large expense. |
* 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? | 25 Euro, but it varied week to week |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pace yourself. Don't buy every gift, drink, go to every dinner invite, try every street food, in the first month. You have plenty of time. Allow yourself a couple weeks to find the balance between splurging to enjoy yourself and having fun in other ways. |
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 |
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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? | Fluent |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish Grammar |
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? | Even though I was confident in my language skills, the first week is always difficult, and that is expected. You are in a new place, with new people, and new accents. Don't underestimate body language and sign language, either! |
Other Program Information
* 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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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? | It's worth it. I was very close, too close, to not studying abroad. To think I might have missed an experience like this, might never have made the friends I made, is scary. |
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