Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing language immersion experience! Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Truman State University) - abroad from 01/16/2013 to 05/10/2013 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 gained amazing skills in speaking spanish as well as just a different mindset one much more humble about living someplace where I am the foreigner.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Compared to Truman, the level of difficulty for the classes at ICS were defintiely lower than those at Truman.

* 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

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? barely any on food because 3 meals a day were provided, i would say i alotted about 50 euros a week, some weeks spending more and some spending absolutely nothink
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? you have to prioritize, if it is more important to you to travel to other countries maybe you should forgoe some of the trips to the bar or the shopping mall

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? 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? DONT SPEAK ENGLISH< and talk to native speakers

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Host Family
  • Classes
  • city of Seville
* What could be improved?
  • Immersion with locals
  • Distance of my house to the school
  • Class schedules
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The weather in Spain is not what most people think it is.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!