The Perfect Semester in Sevilla October 10, 2022

By Cole M (International Affairs, George Washington University) - abroad from 01/17/2022 to 06/12/2022 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

In addition to improving my Spanish learning more about Spanish culture, I learned a lot about myself during my time abroad. I became more self-aware, confident, and independent. It was the most worthwhile experience of my life, without a doubt.

Review Photos

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.	The program has three types of classes: CIEE classes, cursos concertados through the Universidad de Sevilla, and direct enrollment courses through local universities. Each type of class is taught in Spanish and students have the ability to choose whichever type of class is best for their graduation requirements. The classes are challenging but not overwhelming. CIEE provides a variety of academic resources throughout the semester for all the different types of courses.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	CIEE did a fantastic job throughout the entire program. When we arrived in January, CIEE was informative and clear in their communication. In addition to multiple mandatory information sessions, CIEE had local students take us on excursions throughout Sevilla to get to know the city and feel more comfortable. The staff were all knowledgeable, helpful, and kind, regardless of the problem any of us had. I could not say enough positives about them.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	There's two housing options: the student residence and a homestay. I elected to do the homestay and it was the best choice I made in Sevilla. I lived right in the center of the city where I had my own bedroom and bathroom. I formed an extremely close relationship with my host dad and we continue to talk even though I have returned to the US. Host families are in charge of cleaning the house and do laundry once a week.
* Food:	If you live in a homestay, your family makes you all three meals of the day. In the morning, breakfast typically consisted of something small, like a yogurt or toast. Lunch was the biggest meal of the day, unlike in the US. Dinner was a moderately-sized meal. Be sure to communicate to your host family any dietary restrictions you have or if there are any foods that you do not like. The worst thing you can do is not say anything to your host family and then have them make you something you do not like.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt extremely integrated into the local culture. Living with a host family and attending city excursions with CIEE helped with this process. Most importantly, by taking classes directly at the Universidad de Sevilla, I was able to meet and interact with Spanish students every day. My Spanish classmates ended up becoming my closest friends during my abroad experience.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	When we arrived in Sevilla, COVID cases were still high. CIEE gave us many resources about this. After about a month of being in Spain, I tested positive for COVID for the first time with an at-home test. I immediately alerted CIEE staff who booked me an appointment at the hospital to get an official antigen test, which also came back positive. Throughout the week I was in quarantine, CIEE staff were constantly checking up on me and seeing how I was doing. They even helped me get a certificate of recovery once I tested negative. CIEE is extremely helpful when it comes to health-related concerns.
* Safety:	I felt safer in Sevilla than I do in cities in the United States. Friends and I never had any issues walking around, even at night. Crime in Sevilla is extremely low.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes CIEE was run incredibly well and Sevilla is the best city in the world.

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)	Compared to the United States, Sevilla is extremely cheap. A dinner that would cost you $30 in the US would cost only 15 euros. Even though I was not working while I was in Sevilla, I was able to afford everything I wanted to do.

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	Use of Spanish is mandatory at all times.
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
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Live with a host family.

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	Local Students Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Excursions (local and regional) Location Direct enrollment classes
* What could be improved?	Offering overnight excursions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew more about Spain's academic culture before going because it is extremely different from universities in the US.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Historia de América en la Edad Moderna
Course Department:	Facultad de Geografía e Historia
Instructor:	María Esperanza Rojo Jiménez
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course is perfect for any international affairs, political science, or history majors that want to take a direct enrollment class at the Universidad de Sevilla. The class focuses on the history of the Americas from 1492 to the independence revolutions of the 19th century. The course is manageable, with every lecture having an accompanying PowerPoint. There were no class field trips because of COVID but we received recommendations of places to visit in Sevilla to connect with the class (e.g. Archivo de Indias). Active participation in class is encouraged, even for students whose first language is not Spanish. The course is scored entirely on the final exam, but there is flexibility on when the exam can be taken if you talk to the professor beforehand. Overall, a fantastic class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I had no issues transferring this class. It came back as History of Latin America I at my home university.