Sevilla: Makes you appreciate everything life has to offer. Past Review

By (Marketing & International Business, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) for

ISA Study Abroad in Sevilla, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was 100% worth it. I wish I had decided to study abroad for 1 year. I feel after being abroad I have a better understanding of different cultures and places in Europe. I feel like I grew as a person and matured a lot and I am more independent. I want to go back to Europe again and travel as much as I can. I absolutely love it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought the workload was fairly easy. Which I really liked because it gave me a chance to travel etc. However, when it came to exams, I did have to study a lot. Teaching methods were pretty similar to back at school.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought our program leaders were awesome! They were so nice, they helped us with Spanish, their english was very good. The also really cared about everyone and were very helpful. I couldnt have asked for a better group of leaders. I thought the program size was very good and all my classes furthered my expectations. All my expectations were met!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I thought my location was great. I lived right in triana off of the river. The walk to class was really easy, I felt like it was a great location and I loved my host family. I felt very safe in me neighborhood and I was close to a lot of bars as well. I didnt need to buy much expect for small things like shampoo, etc. My host family was amazing, they were so nice and they really made my experience worthwhile.

* Food:

I had a lot of food allergies and my host mom was very understanding and very careful which was very nice. She gave us food every day and more than enough food! I never felt hungry and she always made good food. Some places I would recommend: Coloniales & Cien Montaditos

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really liked all the places we visited. The only place I didnt like was Cordoba. Traveling was so amazing, seeing different places and getting an understanding of different cultures is something that will last with me forever.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Sevilla is very safe. I felt like out of most cities I visited I felt the most safe there and it felt like my home. I have a lot of allergies and at one point I needed to see a doctor. My program leaders were very helpful. Healthcare in Spain was more difficlt than at home. The pharmacia was a lot different and I wouldnt have been able to go to a doctor without one of my program leaders. I didnt need any vaccines and I have a lot of allergies with

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
Language acquisition improvement?

My host family. I needed to use Spanish every single day while I was abroad. When the ISA group was together we all spoke English.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think a student who is looking for a big city but not a city as big as Barcelona. If I were to give a student advice I would tell them it is a good program to be able to experience a city that isnt very americanized.