Spain: A Good Culture Shock Past Review
By Hannah B (Nursing., New Mexico State University) for
Pablo de Olavide University: Seville - Multidisciplinary Studies Program
Yes. I learned a lot about myself, learned a lot from school, and even learned a little Spanish.
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. |
The workload was perfect. The professors understood that not only are American students there to study but we are also there to travel around. So they were very understanding and nice about the work load or missing a class here and there. The teaching methods were similar to home. The class sizes were smaller. The grading was different but not hard to understand. The grading was fair. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I went through an exchange. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great host family. I did not learn as much of the language as I would have like but I have only myself to blame. For someone who really wants to learn the language a host family is perfect because they don't speak any english whatsoever so they will really help you learn. |
| * Food: |
The food wasn't what I expected but it was by no means horrible. It was nice to have home cooked meals living with a host family. I lived very frugally so I didn't go out to eat hardly at all. There is a place near the Cathedral called Levies (spelling) that had great tapas. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Holy Week was great even though it rained and Feria was a site to see. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had no health problems or issues. The city felt very safe and a few times I would walk back home by myself at night and felt fine. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Transportation |
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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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? | Don't hang out with Americans if you want to learn the language! I can't stress it enough. I didnt and wished I had. You'll regret not taking the opportunity to learn a crucial language. Outgoing students would enjoy this program. Someone who likes to go out, meet new people, and isn't afraid to get in there and learn the language and meet the locals. |
