Life changing Past Review
By A student (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Tufts University) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Sweet Briar College: JYS in Seville
I fell in love with a city and a culture. It was more than worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Fantastic, very knowledgeable professors who were very good at dealing with international students but didn't cut us any slack. I loved every minute of it. Plus the uni is a gorgeous building. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The women (and men) in the office are some of the most fantastic, helpful people. They were always friendly and willing to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It's Spain, duh. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really made an effort to integrate with people outside of my program who were either Erasmus students or Spaniards though that's not typical |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was provided by the program though my host mother took me to the hospital when I was sick and stayed with me the entire time I was there. If other host mothers aren't quite as fantastic as mine, someone from the office goes. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe just don't give money to gypsies or be stupid and leave your coat in the corner of a bar. |
| 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) |
Sevilla is a relatively inexpensive city by European standards and all meals were provided by the host family. It's fun to go out for dinner though and wasn't expensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 22 though I'd lived in Spanish speaking countries beforehand. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just force yourself to speak it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | That life doesn't have to be so stressful. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
