Sunny Sevilla, Learning vosotros and the perfect tense Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/16/2019 to 05/10/2019 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about being independent and navigating new places and cultures. I learned a different perspective on life from the Spaniards I interacted with and learned how to balance experiences with self-care. It was absolutely worthwhile!

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.

* 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

The activities and classes were very good and I loved my homestay. I think I would have liked a smaller program though that connects with individual students more though.

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? $25

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
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? Talk in the language with other study abroad students instead of switching back to English

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?
  • The planned activities
  • The classes
  • The homestay
* What could be improved?
  • The response from personnel for emergencies
  • Opportunities for students to meet each other
  • How challenging the level of Spanish was
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to go in expecting to come out fluent in Spanish. The immersion helps a lot and my Spanish greatly improved, but part of me expected to come back speaking perfect Spanish after four months in Spain and that's not how that works.

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.'