SOO WORTH IT Past Review
By Nathaniel L (HISTORY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
CIEE: Seville - Language & Society
I learned that things aren't so different on the other side.
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? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In my experience professors at the University were decent. The Language instructors at the CIEE study center were unhelpful and belittling. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought the administration was superb. Things were well organized and it was easy to talk to talk to the administrators about all topics. s |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a home stay is essential to learning a language. At first I was intimidated but i quickly became comfortable in my abode. |
| * Food: |
Spaniards, apparently have the longest life span of any europeans because of their Mediterranean diet. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt comfortable in Sevilla and felt like i belonged there largely because of my home stay experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
no health problems |
| * Safety: |
When in a foreign country one must keep their street smarts about them. Fortunately Sevilla lacks violent crime. |
| 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) |
beyond traveling my expenses were minimal. |
| * 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? | 75-100 euros/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | plan your traveling well in advance |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 4th semester college 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? | Meet natives. Do everything in your power to meet native speakers and spend time getting to know them. |
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? | The amount of time I would be spending with Americans |
