4 months I will never forget Past Review
By a s (Communication and Media Studies, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/15/2013 to 05/10/2013 with
CIEE: Seville - Communication, New Media, and Journalism
I made friends that I know I will keep in touch with for a long time, and developed a relationship with my host family that I will always cherish. My Spanish speaking skills developed immensely.
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. |
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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? |
I lived with the most amazing Spanish woman, she could not have been more hospitable or more excited to have a student living with her. My experience in Spain would not have been the same without her. I learned so much about the culture and my Spanish improved immensely. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Sevilla...I did hear the occasional story of people having issues but that is only when they were walking home late at night by themselves. |
| 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) |
Living on a student's budget is pretty easy especially in a city like Sevilla and especially if you live in a homestay. Everything in Sevilla was very well priced, the majority of money that I spent was while I was traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $100 while I was not traveling |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of living in the homestay because they are technically supposed to provide you with 3 meals a day. |
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 |
We were expected to always speak Spanish....While we didn't stay true to this if we were just speaking among students, the rule definitely forced us to be more confident with our spanish speaking. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Exit level at my university |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to speak it in class, or with your host family. The more confidence you have, the more you practice, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. |
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? | 0 |
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? | More about the cultural expectations of Sevilla and the people that live there. I would not have made so many plans to travel if I had known how important the weeks of Semana Santa and La Feria were. |
