Studying abroad was a very valuable experience. Past Review
By Jessica R (Electrical Engineer, New Mexico State University) for
CIEE: Seville - Language & Society
I gained cultural knowledge that cannot be taught in a class room environment, but from actually living in/with a specific culture. I feel that studying abroad has helped me view more of the world, and now I am more conscience of the people and places around me. I have also come to value more things that I took for granted in the past. Studying abroad was a very valuable experience.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
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 |
The UPO staff is very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I live quite close to the campus, yet still live in Sevilla. I live in a fairly large apartment with a 'host family' which consists of one woman. |
| * Food: |
I love all food, but i'm not accustom to eating leftovers for a week or the same food everyday as my host mother feeds me. There are always tapa bars to go to and food and drinks are very cheap here in Sevilla, not to mention of good quality too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I played rugby with the University of Sevilla so I had many Spanish friends right away and I was able to experience many things that other students of my program could/did not. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe, even though i lived across from the most dangerous part of Sevilla. |
| 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? | Always over estimate. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Take more than one language course if you are serious about learning the language. Also, try joining some club/group/sport, that way you are constantly around the language you want to learn. You can also make more friends that way. |
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Its a one in a life time opportunity. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Lectura y Redaccion en Español |
| Course Department: | SPAN 202a |
| Instructor: | Ana Claudia |
| Instruction Language: | Español |
| Comments: | The instructor did not speak any English which can be good for students to really learn Spanish, but when a student doesn't understand what the instructor is saying or what the teacher wants, it can be very difficult for that student. The instructor was very positive and really wanted to help the students succeed. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
The Global Economy |
| Course Department: | ECON 331a |
| Instructor: | Jonathan Pass |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was very demanding. It was difficult at times, but over all the instructor was very helpful and I learned so much from him. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Civilization and Culture |
| Course Department: | SPAN 315c |
| Instructor: | Enrique Moreno |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I personally think that this class was very disorganized. I believe that this course would be better if it was taught with the foreign students in mind; not just material. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Spanish Art |
| Course Department: | ART 313 |
| Instructor: | Dan Serradilla |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was very interesting and I learned so much from this instructor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
