Sevilla: Well worth the trip Past Review
By Maija B (Secondary Education & Spanish, Temple University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain
Studying abroad has changed my opinions of living abroad. It is no longer some pipe dream, it is something that I did and gained much from. Since returning I have thought about Spain every day and will be returning in September.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Pablo de Olavide |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Office was located in an easy-to-get to location, program advisers were always available whenever needed. They also made it possible to receive packages from the US without having to have it mailed to host family homes. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family treated me like family. I ate with my Senora's granddaughters who were studying English, so we all benefited from having each other around for a semester. The apartment was located very conveniently with a bus stop that was approximately 3 blocks away that was accessible to every bus line I needed. |
| * Food: |
I rarely found myself eating outside of my host family's apartment. I was provided with enough food but did buy snacks from the store around the corner. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a group we went to Granada, Cordoba, and Lisbon. We also had a hiking trip planned. Through the school we could go to the local ruins as part of art history class. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Program participants spoke English with each other, but Spanish was necessary to communicate with locals. Living with a host family provided very much time to practice Spanish in a very real setting. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Participate in the intercambios set up by UPO. You'll learn a lot from a local who is your age, don't be scared that they're judging your Spanish, because they're not. |
