Sevilla: NO8DO Past Review
By Cody D (Accounting, Truman State University) for
College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Seville - International College of Seville
Everyone takes something different away from their time abroad. I have yet to meet a person who did not enjoy their time studying abroad. I couldn't have enjoyed my time abroad more and I definitely plan on returning which will definitely change to plans I had. I don't just plan to return for a vacation of a couple weeks but for months or a year.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Host Country Program Administration was great. They were extremely helpful with everything. They helped with finding things around the city, recommendations on places to go and things to do, and anything else we needed or wanted. The program size was not huge so we got to know everyone and enjoy doing things with everyone. Many of the professors had studied in America or had a good understanding about American universities so they knew where we were coming from. I could not have been happier with my experience with the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My señora was a great cook. Probably more than 90% of my meals were what she cooked. Food was great. Definitely eat with the host family as often as possible but don't be afraid to venture out and eat at different places around the city. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Too many great experiences to detail. From the field trips/city visits to the traveling I did on my own I was able to see a lot of very cool places and a lot of awesome sites. Semana Santa and Feria were incredible experiences. And going out and enjoying the nightlife of Sevilla was extremely fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt completely safe in Sevilla. Never did I feel in danger or that something might happen. I routinely walked through the streets at all hours of the day and night with no problems or worries. I would remind future students to watch out for gypsies and pickpockets. They aren't a huge problem but you should be aware that some parts of Europe do have problems with them but usually the locals will let you know. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent around 100 Euro a week. This paid for whatever food and drink I bought, bus and taxi fares, and anything else. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat meals with your host family. Not only will you save some money but you will get to know the family better too. When you take a taxi split it with other people. And don't go to specific places, go somewhere in between and then walk a little bit. Also, don't be afraid to negotiate the prices on items you buy. In many places in Europe you can bargain unlike the US. Look up and use different websites to book travel. You can find extremely cheap bus tickets and plane tickets. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish Grammar and Composition |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice the language with my house family, my intercambio, people who we met around the city, professors. Yes, it was necessary to use Spanish in everyday interactions. Being fluent was not necessary to make it through everyday life. Not many people spoke English. |
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? | I would strongly recommend to anyone to participate in the Sevilla program. Anyone will enjoy the program. I was in a program with people from everywhere, Boston, New York, Miami, Texas, Missouri, Hawaii, Montana, and we all had a great time and were sad to leave when the semester was over. |
