Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing! June 27, 2025

By (International Global Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/13/2025 to 05/16/2025 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely. Gained so much independence, knowledge about a different culture, language skills greatly improved. Met so many incredible people and loved living and learning in Spain.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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

I think this is the best program I could have chosen. Sevilla is a vibrant city with so much culture, history, and amazing people and food.

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? 80-100, more when travelling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure to save a lot before going- no on campus jobs abroad and lots of opportunities to travel!

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 104
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? Speak it as much as possible!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Cultural immersion in local festivals and events
  • Organized activities that helped us learn about Sevilla and interact with each other and with local students.
  • Getting to study at the local university and be surrounded by spanish students (and have classes in spanish)
* What could be improved?
  • More immersion with local students (most of my closest friends there were American)
  • More engaging and helpful orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? No matter where you are, being surrounded by the right people will make you feel at home. By the end of my abroad experience, Sevilla felt like a new home to me.

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.'