Sevilla is perfect for study abroad Past Review
By Aviva D (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/04/2019 to 12/13/2019 with
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
I gained a much more advanced language skill as well as a developed sense of responsibility and independence
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. |
I only had to take one psych class while I was there, and the rest was up to me. I took most of my classes through CIEE, but one of my classes was through the university with students from other abroad programs. I thoroughly enjoyed most of my classes, though I didn't click with my psych professor, Frank. I will say taking 5 classes per Brandeis' requirement was more difficult than expected. During midterms I had 4 exams in one week, and during finals, I had three exams and three papers all for the same 3 classes within 48 hours of each other. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The study center itself is in a very opportune location, and the administration is friendly, though I felt that at times my concerns about my host family were disregarded because I just had to get used to "cultural differences," when in reality, it was insensitivity towards my needs. Lastly, in the past couple semesters, CIEE has significantly decreased the number of excursions they host, and completely eliminated overnight excursions, though they are charging the same amount as students who were able to attend overnights. The excursions they offer are amazing, it's just something to be aware of. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If you are planning on staying with a host family, be very specific in your housing survey. I thought I was clear that I wanted to live in a generally quiet apartment where I could have plenty of time to myself to decompress from the day, but I ended up sharing an apartment and one bathroom with two adults and their three young children still in the single digits (5, 7, 9 yrs old). The mom often didn't prepare meals for me, even though she is supposed to. One thing to be ready for is the way that the woman of the house runs her household. Often, the señora will have very specific rules that are easy enough to follow, but you just kind of have to figure it out as you go along. My host dad was a very kind, soft-spoken, friendly man. I enjoyed spending time with him and talking about our lives |
| * Food: |
I really enjoyed Sevilla as a city. It is extremely walkable, great weather, rich culture, and absolutely gorgeous. Food and drink in Sevilla is very affordable and I had a lot of opportunities to travel outside of Sevilla and Spain itself, as travel is very cheap as well. If your host family cooks for you, make your dietary restrictions abundantly clear, because even if you explain it, they still might not get it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish there were more Spanish students in our program, but based on the way that the program is set up, I know that's hard to do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The pharmacists in Spain are actually trained professionals who know just what to give you if you're sick. It's amazing. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Knowing what I know, I would reapply and just change some of my choices within the program. |
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? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get snacks you can take to class and keep in your apartment to avoid buying lots of little snacks throughout the day |
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 |
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| 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 105 |
| 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? | Homestays are great for practicing the language because you can't speak English in the house |
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? | Budgeting is one of the most important and hardest parts of study abroad |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
