I loved it! August 27, 2025
By Ashleigh L (Business and Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/12/2025 to 05/16/2025 with
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
I improved my spanish a lot and gained new perspectives
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. |
Interesting classes |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my family |
| * Food: |
I loved the food but I missed some of my favorites from home |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined activities on my own and made a lot of Spanish friends |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I needed a specialty prescription and was able to get it |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe and walked around at night without problems |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program met my needs perfectly and offered a variety of courses for my majors. |
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? | 20, my host family fed me every meal |
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 |
All my classes were in Spanish |
| 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? | HISP111 |
| 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? | Make local friends and speak as much as you can |
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? | Take advantage of the free activities |
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.' |
