Challenging Past Review
By A student (International Business., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
CIEE: Seville - Business + Society
It was definitely worthwhile! This whole experience got me out of my comfort zone and helped me to improve my Spanish language skills.
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. |
The courses were difficult, but my Spanish improved a lot! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall, CIEE is pretty organized. However, they really need to accept feedback from the students about the quality of the professors. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was the best experience of the program. I had the best host family and we still keep in touch! |
| * Food: |
Too many carbs and fried foods, but hey, it's a different culture! Food is just part of the experience! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt much more integrated towards the middle and end part of the program than the beginning. It takes time to adjust! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't really have any health issues while I was abroad, so this question does not apply to me. |
| * Safety: |
I did feel very safe in Seville! If you are aware of your surroundings, you will be fine! |
| 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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| * 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? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money so you can make weekend trips to other places around Europe! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish |
| 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? | Live with a host family and interact with them a lot! Also, join organizations with Spanish speaking students. |
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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| 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? | I wish I knew that the business professors were going to be unorganized and not very enthusiastic. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
