Sevilla, Spain: My Summer Love! Past Review
By Mai H (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Harvard University) for
SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville
It as assured me that pursuing language and travel is exactly what I want to do. I am much more aware of other people, both on an international level and within different colleges in America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was very manageable and grading was fair. Teaching methods did not allow as much discussion as I am used to. But overall, the mix of students and native Spanish professor made a great classroom atmosphere. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Support services were very helpful and available. Host institution was very involved and was extremely good at providing excursions, activities and educational visits that helped with immersion. However, in the summer, the selection of classes is not as vast as it could be. Classes were fun, although not as challenging as they could have been, but still helpful. Program size was somewhat large, over 50, but in two months with so many events, it was not a problem. Overall the program is very strong, but if your language skills are not fairly strong before hand, your options are more limited. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in a very safe and interesting area, although a little far from classes. Very close to shopping areas and student nightlife. I lived with a host mom and grandmother as well as three other American students (only lived with one at a time, each stayed for less time than me). House life provided many opportunities for speaking, cultural immersion and learning. Host family was amazing and I still keep in contact with them. All household needs were provided for me. |
| * Food: |
Host mom was an excellent cook and very accommodating. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trips within the city to shows, movies or shopping were the most fun. Exploring and taking long walks were fun. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Safety was never a problem. Lots of students and people around all the time, especially at night. Program was always available for help and assistance and so was my host family. No vaccines needed. |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I did not have to pay for food, but personal expenses totaled about 50 euro a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Know that there are so many resources available for students on a budget. |
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? | Spanish 30 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
All professors and program workers spoke Spanish as well as everyone in my host family. Most of these people did not know English. Also, most of the local population does not speak English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is willing to be independent to expand their cultural horizons through active initiative. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Foundations of Spanish Culture |
| Course Department: | SPAN 312 |
| Instructor: | Jose Sanchez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Lots of reading, but all relevant to class lectures. Lots of information to cover, but fair grading and all ties into leaning about local culture. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | As of now, no. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spanish Langugae |
| Course Department: | SPAN 309 |
| Instructor: | Carmen Dorado |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Good review of advanced grammar constructions and excellent building of vocabulary useful for everyday life and local culture. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | As of now, no. |
