Seville: Great Cultural Experience but not as Good of an Academic Experience Past Review

By (Movement Science, Texas Christian University) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that other countries have different views on customer service and getting the most for your money. I learned a lot about the Spanish culture and my Spanish improved some. I plan to continue with my Spanish minor.

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.

There was a lot of homework and requirements stuffed into this short program. The teacher from CCCS was not very accomodating or helpful. My TCU professor did an amazing job with his class and I wish that he could have taught both of the classes I took.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There was not easy access to internet which hindered your ability to do homework. The classes sizes were small, which was nice. The Administration of CCCS was not very helpful or friendly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was very accomodating and had everything that I needed. The neighborhood was very safe. The only thing that I did not like was that my home did not have internet in it. The walk to class was about 30 minutes and the walk to nightlife was about 15.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The weekend trips were fun and interesting. They were my favorite part of my experience in Spain. The trips arranged by the center were not as good as the ones arranged by the TCU professor.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Seville is a very safe city, but I do recomend always walking places with at least one other person.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

You had to speak the host country's language daily. Not many people spoke English. You could practice the language at school, with your host family, and with your assigned speaking partner.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Give yourself time to adjust to being abroad before determining whether you like it or not. A student looking to improve their Spanish and that is easy going would benefit most from this program.