Sevilla Living a Dream Past Review
By Kevin M (International Business., Stephen F. Austin State University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
The world is forever evolving. People can be harsh judges but don't stereotype before you experience, and even after you experience give second chances.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Menendez Pelayo |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload for my program was challenging but not in a stressful sense. The education challenged viewpoints more than neural frying assignments. The grading system was lenient. Teaching methods a found to be much more personal and loved the interaction between professors and students. I would say my American educational system is more difficult in the amount of work but a semester abroad can teach a person more about life than reading literature, textbooks, and lectures can in 4 years. Hands on experience by my short lived happenings is almost always more enhancing than typed thoughts and philosophy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt very comfortable with the administration in Sevilla. One weakness if you can call it one is the state of the library but is menial at most. This was not a problem though because the city had a more than sufficient biblioteca. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt like family in my host quarters. The apartment was well kept, free of odors, and inviting. Traveling to class was enjoyable and relaxing. Nightlife was never short of adventure and mayhem. From pregame to raging to schlitterbombing I know my body can endure endless nights of ecstatic engagements. |
| * Food: |
100 montaditos. Several off the main drag locations where the cuisine is of gastronomical perfection but the energy of discovery is as gratifying as the food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Viewing the brilliance and ancient grandeur of Sevilla atop the Giralda tower will stop your heart, imprinting the city in your mind forever. There was a castle in Sintra Portugal that I could not erase from memory if I wanted to. If ever you wish to regress a few hundred years to be surrounded by classic royalty, greeted by lost chivalry, stripped of your ability to breathe due to the immense beauty of a structure, travel to Sintra. Words cannot describe nor books fill the deserved merit of what I saw, heard, experienced, and enjoyed. If I had one word of advice it would simply be, GO. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I believe you are as safe in Sevilla as you would be in your own home. As long as you maintain reasonable humane behavior you will be in no danger. Have fun and enjoy yourself but don't abuse life's gift of pleasure. Allow responsibility to be a loose guide and danger will not show it's face. The people are great. The overall safety of the city is unquestionable. Avoid known "troubled" spots which none are close to downtown or central surroundings and the will never be a sense of danger. |
| 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? | My expenditures were very frugal but weekly I'm sure I spent less than $50 most weeks. On excursions and weekend trips $250-$300 should see you through depending on how long you stay. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Baggage expenses were a little more than expected especially on the return flight due to bringing back gifts and new wardrobe items which I expect most students to expect to do as well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spa 235 conversational spanish |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Hablé cada dia con mi compañero de cuarto. La mayoría de la gente habló en español. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 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? | The student who benefits most is an open student. A selfish egoistic student can only feel miserable and cause conflict. Any one who wants to learn more than what someone else has to say from ink stained pages will love this program. If you do go or are trying to decide as a result of this review contact me. kevino_85_3_99@yahoo.com |
