Transformative and Immersive: Studying Abroad in Seville, Spain Past Review
By A student (Hawaii Pacific University) - abroad from 09/12/2016 to 12/22/2017 with
GlobalEd: Seville - University Pablo de Olavide (UPO)
Intercultural communication, much much much more Spanish, independence in a completely unfamiliar setting, and confidence in myself and my abilities in general. Completely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
UPO offers courses in both Spanish and English which gave me a lot of flexibility in which classes I could take. Professors were very helpful and were understanding of study abroad students' busy outside of class schedules. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Nicole, Alejandro, and Carlos were all amazing coordinators and one of the main reasons why I loved studying abroad so much. The many times I had questions (anything from my classes at UPO to whether or not to flush toilet paper down the toilet...), they were there to answer me. In one especially glamorous occasion Carlos escorted me to the clinic when I had a crummy throat infection. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I opted for an in-house living arrangement with a host family in order to further immerse myself in Spanish language and culture. I absolutely loved my host mom, who truly ended up being my second mother by the end of the program (trust me, it was a tough goodbye). I had the freedom and amazing home-cooked meals that I would have had at home. You'll never go hungry BTW. |
| * Food: |
Spanish cuisine is out of this world and also makes me wonder why jamón and croquetas aren't a thing everywhere. Restaurants were very fairly priced. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is arguably one of the most difficult and self-involving aspects of study abroad. Your experience with social and cultural integration truly relies on your willingness to go out of your way to BE uncomfortable. In my experience, as long as I made an effort to speak their language and not present myself as completely culturally inept, I was fine. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The one event that I had to see a physician ran smoothly. There was a urgent care clinic 15 minute walking distance from my apartment. Doctors spoke both Spanish and English but I found it more fun to describe my symptoms in Spanish. Insurance, which is provided by GlobalEd, covered the visit and I paid less than $10 for antibiotics. |
| * Safety: |
I felt completely safe in my surroundings. Sevilla is such a huge city and at almost all hours there are people outside. Generally if you don't do anything to gather negative attention no harm will come your way. |
| 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) |
I could have easily spent almost nothing if I wanted to. Meals and accommodation were already taken care of, but I suggest you go out and see and taste Sevilla. It's not expensive. |
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 |
This was not emphasized much in my university experience. At home however I spoke only in Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Two semesters of college Spanish |
| 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? | Go on dates. You'll be surprised by how much Spanish your brain will spew out in cases of urgency. |
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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| 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? | Just because you decided to study abroad doesn't exactly mean you WILL have a life-changing experience. You have to make this experience happen yourself by doing as much possible. |
