Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

¡Quiero volver a Sevilla! Past Review

By (Truman State University) - abroad from 01/18/2012 to 05/10/2012 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Seville - International College of Seville

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have definitely gained a whole new perspective on the culture there and all over Europe. I also had lots of travel experience, and I became fluent in Spanish. All positive and very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 10 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use the meals your family provides to your advantage. Be at your host family's house when they are having meals, or take the sandwiches they give you for traveling. Don't spend money on food unless you cannot stand your host family's cooking (which they will usually alter to fit your needs).

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 330 - Grammar and Composition
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? Talk to your host family. They are there to help you learn the language, not just for a place to live. Don't let a fear of making mistakes keep you from speaking as much as possible. It might be awkward or frustrating or embarrassing at first but they want to help, and it will be get better.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • My host family. They were incredibly helpful and loving.
* What could be improved?
  • Taking classes with only Americans makes it hard to meet students or people in general from other backgrounds. I would recommend taking classes at the university to help with that. Or if ICS could incorporate international/local students into the program somehow.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Taking classes at the university does not require fluency or near fluency in Spanish. I wish I had taken classes there. I also wish I had had an intercambio, or a local student to meet up with and speak Spanish.