Study Abroad in Spain or the Time I Lived A Lifetime in One Semester. Past Review
By Ronak P (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) for
CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts
Study abroad introduced me to a set of friends and like-minded individuals who greatly enriched my global learning and awareness. I've come back to the United States with a greater understanding of a lot of issues ranging from food politics to environmentalism to sociocultural relations. I've been able to completely change the way I live, the way I perceive, the way I think and approach life to much healthier and happier options.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Most of my education came from the streets. I learned more about the culture and the Spanish way of life sitting at the neighborhood bar owned by la asociación de vecinos where my host mother worked. I learned most of my Spanish through my older neighbors. Academically, I felt I had an fulfilling experience learning about Lating America and its post-colonial relations with the US and Europe. Learning it from the Spanish perspective was refreshing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Well organized, able to help students with a variety of needs, planned many activities and excursions and cultural immersion opportunities. It was a well-run program overall. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Food was delicious. A bit on the greasy side for my normal taste but I was eating at a bar for most of my meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get rid of the planned excursion in liberal arts and give the $300 reimbolso like they do with adv. lib. arts kids. As an avid traveller, you quickly realize how expensive it actually is to travel in Europe. Although Ryanair, Easyjet, etc. provide low-cost flights, they don't conform to the class schedules that all require mandatory attendance. The flights are prohibitively expensive for students with limited budgets. As a result, I learned to travel within and appreciate the culture of South Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, focusing my reflections on the unique social and cultural relations and differences between the three countries. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 327G |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language with the neighbors at the bar. I needed to use the language constantly. Most people I interacted with spoke only Spanish. However, kids from |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't try and force yourself into loving this program. I finally chose Sevilla over Madrid because I wanted a more Spanish, less internationale experience. I was looking for a place that can be seen as a crossroads of old Spain and the new modern Spain. Sevilla provided me with that, with a bit more stress on the old Spain. It is perfect for students who have experienced living in developing countries or who originate from developing countries. I, with roots in and extensive travel within India, found Sevilla to be the perfect blend of the elements of both modern and traditional culture. |
