Darling Past Review
By A student (Psychology/Spanish, Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 01/13/2013 to 07/07/2014 with
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
I learned so much more than words can even begin to describe. I learned how to trust and be comfortable. I learned how to be confident and get around independently.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was the most wonderful host family I could have asked for. I never thought I would be so upset to leave them. They were loving, inclusive and taught me so much about culture and life. I miss them everyday. |
| * Food: |
Wonderful |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the culture. Our interest groups helped to make friends outside of the ciee administration. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to change ADHD medication for Seville and it was suggested to me that I get HTH insurance so I could get prescriptions abroad. I looked up a doctor that was supposed to be covered under my insurance and when I paid a hefty cab fee to get my script, the receptionist would not take my insurance information and requested a 200+ euro bill. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not go out and meet for drinks on a nightly basis. |
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 |
CIEE would always give us the stinkeye if we were speaking english together. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 133 |
| 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? | Engage with your host parents! A close relationship with your host family means a ton of practice speaking. Watch TV with them, ask if you can help them cook do anything you can to engage. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | I wish I had known orientation would be so exhausting and start right away |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
