Vivir Mi Vida Past Review
By Katy S (University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 01/21/2014 to 05/24/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
I learned a lot about myself and about other people. I learned how to be more independent and to not worry about unimportant matters. I learned to take chances, "Vivir Mi Vida," and to enjoy the little things in life.
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host mom was the most AMAZING cook. She cooked all of our meals and they were all delicious. She would always offer my roommate and I seconds and thirds (and oftentimes we took them). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I tried out every cultural aspect that I could immerse myself in--the language, the food, the art, the music, the bullfighting, the dancing, etc. I went during the spring semester and was fortunate enough to experience Semana Santa and Feria de Abril! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 can't really estimate exactly how much I spent week to week, but I definitely spent more during the end of the program (in April and May) when it was nice out and we would go to the river a lot. Also, I spent money traveling. I made sure to save a lot before going abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work as much as you can before going abroad. The summer before I went (so almost a year before I went) I lived at home for the summer and worked three jobs. It wasn't very fun but it was well worth it. Once you get over there, you end up spending more than you think (or at least the cost of living was higher for me in Sevilla than it is here in Columbia, SC). |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 122- Basic Proficiency in Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Practice Spanish prior to leaving for Spain! I was really busy before I went, but I wish that I had brushed up on my Spanish a little bit more before I left for Sevilla. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
