The greatest five months of my life! Past Review
By Marisol P (International Business & Marketing, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/04/2013 to 12/12/2013 with
CIEE: Seville - Business + Society
I learned tolerance and the value of having an open mind. I cannot think of a more worth while experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They had high expectations and all classes were in Spanish which was a gratifying challenge. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the people who worked in administration. They could not have been more helpful and kind toward all of us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living arrangements were so amazing. I loved the family I lived with and created a wonderful relationship with the single mother and her two little kids. They made me feel at home, provided everything the program said they would and have sustained a relationship with me even after I left. |
| * Food: |
I got all 3 meals every single day and it was all delicious and nutritious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I fell in love with the Spanish culture, especially in Sevilla. The Sevillanos made me feel very much at home in their city and by the end I felt like on of them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any major health issues, but the program did a great job of tending to some friends who got sick during their stay. |
| * Safety: |
There were a few cases of theft. I never had anything stolen or felt unsafe at any moment. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
We had all of our meals given to us so you really only spent money on extra unnecessary things. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | i would say $15 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget your money! and Buy all of your travel in advance so then you can focus on spending in your host city. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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? | Fluent |
| 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? | I am fluent and have completed the foreign language requirement |
| 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? | Talk with your host family, they will help you the most! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 would've stayed for a whole year and not just one semester. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
