Worthwhile and learning Past Review

By (Wartburg College) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 05/10/2013 with

SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about a different culture and whats important to them and how that affects their way of life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt it was far TOO rigorous. I was also taking 2 classes through Wartburg so that added to my course load, but I had 4 classes (each 5 hours a week) plus 2 shorter classes a week. I felt like I was constantly doing school work and I was INCREDIBLY overwhelmed. It definitely took away from the experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

my host mom had a lot of rules that made me feel very unwelcome in the beginning. My roommate was extremely rude also which made it a harder experience.

* Food:

I was fed the exact same thing for breakfast and dinner every day (sandwich, chips, fruit for dinner)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 (when you factor in trips)

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level
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

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Optional leisure activities
  • mandatory (free) trips
  • the parties they help (fashion show)
* What could be improved?
  • less time in the classroom
  • Dont get docked points if you miss 1 class!!!
  • supportive of students traveling to other places
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? About Bautista Iglesia Fe (a church in Sevilla that I really enjoyed)

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'