Sevilla: the most amazing place on earth Past Review

By Sara G (Political Science and Government., Tufts University) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was amazing! I learned to really be independent and travel all over Europe with friends. I got the most amazing host family who I still keep in touch with and i got to use all the spanish that I learned so it was very rewarding!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	University of Sevilla
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Not as difficult as Tufts classes, some classes are more difficult and require more work than others. Definitely take courses at the University, they are usually easier and more rewarding.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	AWESOME host family! I had the best situation, a loving family that took me in as their own. The hardest part of the trip was leaving them and they were the best part of my experience. Definitely live with a host family and switch if you don't like yours.
* Food:	Loved all of the food. Tell your host mom if you don't like something because otherwise you'll have to eat it alot. I loved spanish food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Hang out with the locals as much as possible, I did that through my host family.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I didn't have any problems luckily but friends did and they just went to the ER and they got seen, no problem.
* Safety:	I didn't have any problems but people do try to steal from you and pickpocket everywhere in Europe, just be smart about it. Also don't walk home alone at night, take a cab, they're not expensive, or walk with your friends and don't leave with any locals you just met at a club.
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 don't have to pay for food and you can be smart about what nights to go to which clubs, cause they have free nights. But traveling around was my biggest cost I would say.
* 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?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Know how much you're willing to spend from the beginning and remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so save up before hand and know your limit and stick to it. Spain's a relatively cheap country compared to the rest of Europe.

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
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?	Spanish 22
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?	Best way to learn is to speak with your host family and with locals. You tend to speak english to your american friends but the more you speak it the better you get, so try to speak to them in spanish too.

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	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?	My host family The city The food
* What could be improved?	nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It goes by super fast so enjoy every minute of it.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Spanish Culture and cuisine
Course Department:	Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Pretty good class. You get to learn about olive oil and pork and how they came about to be. But don't think this is a cooking class! ITS NOT!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	European and Latin America relations
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Really good teacher, its more work than other classes but definitely worth it.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Translation
Course Department:	Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Took this at the university, it was a great class. Learned all about how translations work and I had no previous interest in it. Easier than CIEE classes.
Credit Transfer Issues: