Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Disfrutando del sol de Sevilla! Past Review

By (Global Studies and Spanish, University of the Pacific) - abroad from 09/02/0013 to 06/06/2014 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned about a whole new culture that I have learned to love and immerse myself in. I don't think I ever felt homesick because the people I was around (homestay, friends, program) always made me feel comfortable and at home. I learned I can study, work, and live abroad without the fear of missing home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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:

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? around 50 euros.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If living in a homestay, they provide 3 meals a day, so be wise and budget how much out of pocket you want to spend on food.

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Sintax class at Pacific.
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? Yes, make sure to speak it all the time, when you order at a restaurant, at a bar, with your host family, in class, and make local 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

  • 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?
  • Classes with opportunities to explore the city!
  • An intensive course where you learn about the culture and history about the city you're living in.
  • Weekend trips to Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, etc.
* What could be improved?
  • clearer communication between staff and students on steps to take a university class
  • Quicker response to student emails, especially when concerning health issues
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That if you take a university class your tests will be about a month later than the CIEE finals. And that the program pays your housing as long as you are taking a direct enrollment course.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.