Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Unforgettable Inspiration. Past Review

By (Austin College) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/16/2012 with

SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Internship or Service Learning in Seville

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The bigger question is what didn't I gain? I have an inner awareness and strength about myself. I pushed the boundaries of my comfort zones to help me realize what it is I want out of life and my own sort of position in life. I can honestly say I came back home having not a single regret.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: N/A
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As I am fluent in Spanish and also pre-med, I was accustomed to being assigned large amounts of course work. Stress wise, it was pretty non existent even if I was taking the most rigorous classes offered.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The time I lost my wallet in Spain, the program generously helped in providing me with a temporary solution. Everyone was also very friendly!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family. They were an amazing group of people. My only regret would be that I would have spent more time with them. Perhaps rather than always being with friends, I wish I could have spent a little more time at home.

* Food:

In addition to being a great group of people, they cooked amazingly. Almost every dinner was given some sort of consideration and was up to par with the best restaurants.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My biggest motivation throughout this journey was learning my own position within society. By the end, I found myself fully integrated in the Spanish culture. Upon returning to the United States, I found it was difficult to revert to only speaking and writing in english.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was definitely easily accessible if you needed, however, I never got sick or needed to use it thus I can't review on it's efficiency.

* Safety:

There was never a moment in which I was afraid for my well-being. For example, I could walk home during the latest hours of the night and never feel fear.

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably around 200-300 euros/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If in Sevilla, go to 100 Montaditos on wednesdays for cheap drinks and food! Also attempt to eat at home as much as possible, especially if traveling on the weekends.

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Span 250
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Just try, even for me I would gladly help my friends in any ways I could. Use it even in texting!

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?
  • Being made to speak in Spanish
  • The different activities they would host to make everyone get to know each other
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Administration
  • Perhaps more class selection
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known a bit more about the culture. Being Hispanic, I assumed it would be about the same.