Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Perfect Semester in Sevilla Past Review

By (HISTORY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/05/2014 with

CIEE: Seville - Language & Society

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile! I've become so much more independent and my Spanish has improved 500%.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Our Spanish composition class was more difficult than many classes that I've taken at Brandeis. The grading is NOT sympathetic to small errors. If you are not up for a challenge then I would not recommend it. CIEE's free tutors were great.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Luisa is amazing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed with an elderly woman who was very nice and got me comfortable in Seville.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Seville is very safe. No one in my program was even pickpocketed. As long as you recognize that you're in a large modern city and take appropriate precautions you'll be fine.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

You could probably manage on $25 a week here if you wanted to. Probably less.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were working with Spanish students in our conversation class and CIEE is good at arranging intercambios (aka students at the University of Seville who wanted to practice their English) to practice in a sort of cultural exchange.

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? Fourth 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? Honestly, try and just use it as much as you can. Even with your American friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The people
  • The professors
  • Luisa
* What could be improved?
  • Communication of expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that course evaluations of the individual classes were made public to students because I might have chosen different classes.

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 Linguist
You 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!