Universidad Pablo Olividad Studying Abroad at UPO Past Review

By Lauren C (Hotel, restaurant, tourism management, New Mexico State University) for

Pablo de Olavide University: Seville - Multidisciplinary Studies Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained so much knowledge of foreign countries and different cultures. i felt like a new person when i returned to the United States. It made me more open minded towards others and i was just so happy. I would go back to spain in a heartbeat and I really want to travel to more foreign countries now. I loved it!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	Universidad Pablo Olividad (UPO)
The term and year this program took place:	Summer 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I absolutely loved studying abroad in Sevilla. It was easily one of the best experiences of my life and I would go back in a heartbeat! UPO was a great University. Very different from universities here in the U.S. but that is part of the fun in studying abroad! My teachers were amazing and the staff at their study abroad office were very helpful and friendly. Sevilla is an amazing, beautiful, and friendly city. There is lots to do and you never get bored! Also, there are many destinations near Sevilla that are easy and cheap to get to. Overall, it was a great experience that I highly recommend.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I went through my school only and the main lady in charge of our study abroad services helped me a lot. we had a rough patch and I didn't think I was going to get to go, but she worked things out and made it possible for me to go. I am so thankful towards her.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host mom took good care of me. She was an excellent cook also. it was just hard to communicate with her since she only spoke spanish and i felt that sometimes she got annoyed with me because I didn't know what she was saying. Overall though I had a great host family and was very glad I stayed with one.
* Food:	the food was excellent, but very heavy. Also, I missed spicy. they do not have Spicy food in Spain, and sometimes the food was kind of bland. For the most part the food was good though.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The UPO study abroad staff did a great job in helping us find things to do and organizing fun trips. i enjoyed them a lot and they were very helpful.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	We never had any health problems except one girl getting a cold so it was fine.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Always pull money out of the ATM so you have cash. you dont want to be paying with a card at the stores. Also, sometimes the ATMs didnt work properly, but there are a ton so you can find another one easily.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?	I went from knowing very little spanish to being able to understand it very well and speak it significantly better. I am not fluent, but i think if i would have been there longer I may have become fluent. Its amazing how fast you learn when you are surrounded by it.

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	have fun, be open minded, and know some spanish before you go!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Begininng Spanish
Course Department:	111
Instructor:	Manuel
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This Spanish course was tough for me because I went to spain without much spanish background. That was not a very smart move on my part, but this class taught me a ton! It was hard because my instructor refused to speak in English, but that also helped me learn faster. Overall it was a good course.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I am still waiting for my credits to transfer so I hope everything goes smoothly which I think it will.

Course Name/Rating:	International marketing
Course Department:	309
Instructor:	Nano Osuna
Instruction Language:	English/ Spanish
Comments:	I LOVED this course!!! My profesor was such an intelligent, laid back guy. He was born and raised in Sevilla, so his first language is Spanish, however he went to college at The University of Michegan so he is also fluent in English. I learned so much in this class and discovered a new love for international marketing. It is now my minor.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Same as above.