A Dream Come True Experience that I Hold Very Close to My Heart, Soul, and Mind Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I could tell the professors and administration, any one of them, whenever in the ICS building, talked to us as if they really wanted us to understand where we were at. They didn't want us to take our time in Spain for granted. Exceptional is the word that comes to mind for my specific Spanish professor. He started every class with a story, in Spanish of course. He did this in a way to make sense of every single Spanish word we learned in that class. It was gratifying knowing he genuinely wanted us to learn his language and the cultural atmosphere in Seville.

On-site administration of your program

Always, always there to help and to answer any questions we had. The nicest, most amusing, and friendliest people I have met!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I may be bias, but my host mother was the best! My host family was the best! From the day I arrived, my host sister was there to show me the school right down the street. She went in with me to help me converse and speed up the process of my lost-luggage. (Opps!) My host mother had the most delightful lunches; three course! She was there with us in the kitchen every meal, along with her husband and sometimes their two older children. This is one of my favorite memories of my time in Seville. It is what taught me the most; the culture of the city.

Muy bien! Every single meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, all three courses at lunch! Mmm. My host family had their favorites, but she kept a very good variety of dinners and lunches. I was always curious what I was eating, so I would ask. They were so helpful to respond, even if I didn't know the word yet, my host sister would try to explain it her best in the little English she knew.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This was my all-time favorite part of my study abroad experience. It was helpful my host family and ICS were located so close to the most gorgeous and enormous parks I have ever seen! This is where I spend my time if not in class or at home with my host family. I made the mistake of assuming Spain was not the 'working out type', and left my running shoes back home. I couldn't have been more wrong! I saw all the runners and walkers in the park one day, and took off towards the nearest sneaker shop. I then became one of the familiar faces among the runners in Maria Louisa. Along with the culture, Spaniards are not afraid to admit they have a bar every block! Which us American college kids took full advantage of. The serving staff were so friendly towards our awkward American groups not knowing what to do or say at all times. We became very close with them. Walking along the river, arocss the river, and all over the city center taught me a lot about the culture in Seville as well. It was all so beautiful to a foreigner, but it is the locals knowing it is a beautiful city they live in that really stuck with me. They are so proud, always out and about, and really seeming to enjoy life over there.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had an incident where my roommate advised me I should go see a doctor for my foot. I hate going to the doctor even in the States, but the doctor and nurse I dealt with very very helpful and willing to help me get what I needed for my foot. Right away they could tell I would not be able to explain to them the full story of what happened to my foot, so the nurse and I communicated using Google Translate once I got into the room and it was just us two. The doctor was then very helpful giving me X-Rays and explaining the products I would need to get from the pharmacy. My host mother was then there to help explain to me once I got home the order of the medications I needed to take.

No incidents dealing with the city. It felt very safe and welcoming to me. I loved to see the people and families out and about every day, especially on the weekends. The cab drivers were helpful, bartenders, and shop owners.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• The culture and people
• Spanish class/professor
• Host family/mi madre

• Long trip down to Africa

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer