Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sevilla es una maravilla Past Review

By (HISTORY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Spanish, met wonderful new people, had new adventures and powerful memories, and proved to myself that I'm capable of being independent and taking the leap to have a new and different experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

CIEE is excellent in organizing every aspect of the study abroad experience, from classes and housing to cultural excursions, on-sight volunteer opportunities, and even restaurant recommendations.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was one of the most important parts of my experience. I lived with an excellent family that made me completely comfortable and allowed me to practice my Spanish any time of the day.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

CIEE provides a ton of opportunities to get involved in the community and be more than a tourist. A+

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Ryan air!

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? Brandeis University, Hispanic Studies 109
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? Put yourself in situations where you are forced to speak the language. Americans will always fall back to English. Try to immerse yourself in a group of locals for at least a few hours a week to get your mind stretching!

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?
  • Host family
  • CIEE excursions
  • CIEE professors
* What could be improved?
  • Pre-departure clarification on the different end dates of the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The only thing I wish I'd known is that it was going to be very complicated to take direct enrollment classes and that the vast majority of students do not do it. If I had known that I wasn't going to take direct enrollment, I would have known to buy my ticket home for December 14 instead of December 22, when the direct enrollment students finish. The end dates of the program and the low possibility of taking University classes could be articulated a littler better.

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!