Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

best academic experience of my life March 23, 2026

By (Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 01/10/2026 to 05/08/2026 with

SIT Study Abroad: Spain - Social Movements, Democracy, and Cultural Identity

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
the most important thing that i learned from the program was not found in the classroom, but rather in the atmosphere. i learned how important it is to be accepting of other people, regardless of who they are or where they come from. that level of inclusion is unfortunately not found in the United States, and it was a huge breath of fresh air to experience that for such an extended period of time. yes, the experience was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

extremely open and supportive teachers, very well-mannered and experienced in their fields

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

unbelievable staff. if it weren't for their support and openness, I would have significantly struggled while studying abroad.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

very strong housing arrangements.

* Food:

the food was excellent

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

the local culture was astounding--completely different from the United States on all levels. integration with the community was seamless, because the people there were so warm and social.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

i attended therapy weekly under this program. it was extremely accessible and easy to go to, my program assisted me throughout all stages of the process, and overall it was a very positive experience.

* Safety:

the city was extremely safe. there was a time when i was walking home on the streets at 3 AM and all i heard were happy, friendly voices. i've never had a negative confrontation with a person there.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

the city's cultural atmosphere is unmatched. i have never been in a location where the people have been as welcoming, social, and friendly as Seville. the city is also really easy to navigate. there is a tram and metro that takes you through the city with ease.

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)

it was very easy to navigate my living expenses on a week to week basis. outside of purchasing protein drinks for the gym and the trips we would go on, I would probably spend less than 50 dollars per week on food. most of it was provided by my living arrangements

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? i would strongly recommend communicating with your host-mom/parent about the food arrangements on a week-to-week basis. the schedule for this program tends to vary a lot, so it's important to keep your host-mom up to date.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? spanish 1
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people
  • the city (architecture, transportation, navigation)
  • the culture
* What could be improved?
  • the scheduling of events (especially the trips)
  • the ISP schedule (there should be more group activities for the final month of school)
  • communication between host-parents and school
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? i definitely wish i knew what the ISP (independent study project) was going to be like before i started the program. it is essentially a month long process where you have to take the initiative of writing a paper (20-40 pages) on something you wish to research. some people on my trip struggled with the timeline associated with this project, so it would be something important to know.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.