Sevilla: amazing and lifechanging Past Review
By Diana L (PSYCHOLOGY., University of the Pacific) for
SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville
Being abroad has changed my perspective of the world and how different and beautiful culture really is. I am a more open minded individual and would love to work somewhere abroad!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload isn't too much that you cannot go out and explore the city but it also isn't too light. It is just enough to be able to get a better grasp of whatever course you are taking. The teaching methods were the most different to me, for example for my anthropology of Spain class my professor took us out to bars to understand the cultural behind the way there cultures view on alcohol. Most professors are very laid back. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The only thing I did not like was that the program was late getting all the information from the university and communicating it back to us students and it was very frustrating. But the program has very supportive professors and administrators that made the program have a great atmosphere to want to be around. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was living with a widowed women that was in her late 60's. She was the sweetest person ever and was always checking on to anything I needed and was a blast to hang around with at home. I loved being able to see how she interacts with her children and grandchildren. |
| * Food: |
It was good food just sometimes it was too salty but talking it over with your host mom always helps. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved to go to see a soccer game!! Its a must to go see a game!!! I loved la plaza de Espana and Botellon! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In Sevilla I felt pretty safe, I had no incident of violence or crime and did not hear of anyone from my program did. I went to the doctor one in my stay there and it was easy accessible. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 75-100$ a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you take any type of public transportation always be aware of it and always have enough money with you in case you get lost and need to take a taxi. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced compostion in Spanish SPAN 101 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish everywhere in class, around the city and at home! It was a great way to integrate yourself! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you love a challenging but yet amazing experience this is a good program for you. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Cultural Antropology of Spain 355 |
| Course Department: | 355: Using the rich variety of anthropological studies by both foreign and Spanish researchers, students examine the peoples and cultures of contemporary Spain. Areas of study include rural and urban life, regional and ethnic identities, the gypsies and o |
| Instructor: | Stantiago Amaya |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was challenging because the level of the texts and information he gave us was so far beyond advanced in Spanish that I would translate it to make it a bit easier and I was still pretty lost. However, the professor was such a good instructor he was able to explain to us all the information in a very interesting way for us to be able to understand and not get completely confused. He was very passionate in his field of study and he was very encouraging toward students. I feel like I participated more often then I would at my home university. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Have not had any issues. |
