CIEE Sevilla: Una Aventura September 19, 2022
By A student (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/19/2022 to 05/11/2022 with
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
While I was abroad I gained confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities, and learned about a different mindset about life. One thing many of us noticed very quickly is that while Americans live to work, Spaniards work to live, and having a chance to experience that gave me perspective on what life can look like back home and helped me to feel less trapped by the American corporate lifestyle
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Though I never had any issues, I had friends who were unable to reach administration during an emergency. My friend had COVID during Semana Santa (Holy Week), and despite calling the emergency number multiple times and emailing everyone on staff he could think of, he couldn’t reach anybody. While I understand that everyone deserves a break on such a culturally important week, I think its valid to expect they’d at least have a rotating on-call person for instances like that. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The residencia I lived in was close to a grocery store, pharmacy, and public transit. In addition to the convenient location, the majority of students in the residencia were Spanish, so it felt like an immersive experience despite not being a home stay. |
| * Food: |
I personally loved the food and there were lots of options for various dietary restrictions in grocery stores, but I could see a vegetarian/vegan having trouble eating in a lot of restaurants. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While I did not have as many close Spanish friends as some other people on my program, I got to experience lots of important cultural events like Féria de Sevilla, and programs through CIEE like a flamenco class helped me feel immersed in Spanish culture |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Other than a few issues with stealing that some of my friends had in more touristy clubs, I felt very safe in Seville (I felt comfortable walking home at night, etc) |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While there were some minor hiccups when it came to administrative issues, I wouldn't trade anything for the people I met and the experiences I had. |
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) |
In Seville, cost-efficiency is really what you make of it. It's definitely possible to get your groceries for about $40 per week. Once you add in public transit, eating out, and other activities/expenses you're probably looking at about $60-$75 per week. That said, I lived in the residencia and was responsible for my own groceries, so those who live in homestays will not end up spending as much money on food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between $40-100, depending on the week/what I did |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | HISP 105a |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I did not need to be nearly as worried about my Spanish abilities as I was. Even if you feel like your Spanish isn't good enough, professors and most locals are understanding of the fact that Spanish is not your first language, and they do their best to be accommodating (plus you'll get much better as you go along). |
