its unexplainable until you do it and its just unforgetable Past Review
By A student (English and Spanish, New Mexico State University) - abroad from 01/05/2012 to 05/09/2012 with
Texas Tech University: Seville - TTU Center Seville
Time flies by super fast and once you blink it will be over, to take advantage of every moment you live. It was totally worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I spoke spanish prior to attending the program so the program educational wise was geared more toward learning spanish as a second language and not for native speakers. I think that there should be some classes for the native speaker so that it may be a little more challenging. Other than that the professors were excellent. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at the TTU Center were amazing, they are a lot of fun and easily approachable. They are very enjoyable to get to know, the director is amazing and very knowledgable. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was very nice and friendly very open to conversation and to new experiences. |
| * Food: |
Spanish food is pretty bland compared to American food but you get used to the food, the food that my host family prepared was really good. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sevilla is a really amazing city. People are nice and always willing to help you and really easy to approach. The nightlife and social scene is inexpensive and very lively. Bullfights are ok, and the Feria the Abril is amazing. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health care issues abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Sevilla is a safe city never had a problem even late at night or very early in the morning. |
| 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) |
With the dollars value being so low of course any country in the Euro is going to be a little more money, Sevilla in general is a lot cheaper than Paris, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, or London. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably no more than 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't waste at first and get used to the bare minimum wait till the end to spend that way you can have a little more to splurge on traveling. Shop at chinos and when going out buy drinks at the chinos as well. |
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? | Fluent |
| 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? | 200 level |
| 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? | Try and stop speaking in 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 |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | what not to take, and that Spain is not a third world country where the water goes out. |
