Sevilla will always be my home in Europe Past Review
By Jaime B (Biopsychology, The College of New Jersey) for
ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
It changed my life. I have been back to Europe once since studying abroad and can't wait to go back again. I want to return to Spain because it is a wonderful place, but also experience new cultures abroad. I was someone who was extremely nervous about traveling before studying abroad, and know more comfortable than ever doing it.
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 |
Our host family had a dog that they did not report to the program, and our program advisers were swift and discrete about speaking to the family and the situation was resolved. They were supportive and handled the issue immediately. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Neighborhood safety was great, but the quality of life at home could have been better. Our host mother was not open to sharing space with us. We felt like we had to stay in our tiny room the entire time we were in the house. She also said that she would be alright with our families calling her land line, but immediately after doing so she would pressure us to get off the phone. |
| * Food: |
The quality of food declined the longer we lived there. By the end of the program we were constantly eating microwaved foods. We also informed our host mother we did not eat fish, but she insisted on making it anyway. My roommate was a vegetarian and she would make meat with every meal so my roommate barely had any options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Only once was I approached by a young kind to try and con me out of some money. Once I told him I wasn't interested, he left me alone. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
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| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is wonderful. I would take advantage of the opportunities to meet as many Spaniards as you can/ It's easy to hang out with your fellow Americans, but you should push yourself to hang out with the locals! |
