Study Abroad in Spain - The Best Way to Learn a Language Past Review
By Catherine B. Gardiner (University of Hawaii - Manoa) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 05/06/2016 with
International College of Seville / ICS: Study Abroad in Seville
This was a totally worthwhile experience. Having lived in another culture for an extensive period of time, I feel like I have taken on a new pair of eyes with which to view the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically I got so much out of the program. The teachers encouraged us and challenged us with the subject material and really wanted to see us grow in our language proficiency. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site admin were more than just staff; they became family! So thankful for them and all they did to pour into us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing arrangements and host family were perfect--just a few short blocks from the school, with a sweet family, in a fun and safe neighborhood. Couldn't have asked for a better arrangement. |
| * Food: |
The food our host mom prepared was amazing, and she was always so interested in accommodating our needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
ICS did an incredible job helping the students integrate into the community by organizing cultural visits/tours and intercambio programs with local residents, which made me feel much more a part of the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Insurance was covered under the program costs, and the staff helped me get an appointment and work with insurance to cover some physical therapy while I was abroad. |
| * Safety: |
I felt totally safe in Sevilla. Although it is a large city home to more than 700,000 residents, the neighborhood that the students lived in and went to school was small and intimate that I felt very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I absolutely love the International College of Seville. The program is small enough that the faculty, staff, and students form an intimate bond. You aren't just a number; you're a person, and the teachers and administrators expend tremendous effort to make this a memorable experience for the students. |
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) |
Everything was included in the cost of the program, and you don't have to spend a lot of additional money, since meals/snacks, etc. were covered. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | approximately $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't feel like you have to buy a lot of trinkets or travel to as many nearby countries just to get your passport stamped. Enjoy the place you are living in and drink it in as much as you can! |
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 |
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| 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? | 201 |
| 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? | Try to meet and connect with locals, especially by taking advantage of intercambio programs. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | I wish I did not spend as much time with my English-speaking counterparts, but instead invest that time by being with the locals to challenge and improve my language proficiency. |
