Sevilla: The south is so unique and different compared to the rest of Spain Past Review
By Daysy A (Political Science and Government., Barnard College) for
University of Seville / Universidad de Sevilla: Seville - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I will go back to Sevilla to visit my host family. They were one of the sweetes people I have ever met. I realized the difference of race preceptions that Americans have verses Europeans which will help me write my thesis this coming senior year.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The University of Seville was actually the only bad part about my experience aboard. I was in all freshmen classes which I regreted. Most of the students are highly unmotivated and the work itself is meaningless busy work. I felt like I almost learned nother academically. There is really no filtering system in the south therefore anyone can go to college so you find youself with a huge spectrum of students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were extremely supportive and helppful throughout my stay. They were all very affable people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of the best parts of my study aboard experience. I lived with an older retired couple and they were the sweetest people ever. They honestly treated my like a grand-daughter and they never made me feel unfortable. My host mom made the best food and taught me so much about the culture of the south. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an amazing cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being in the South of Spain is so different than the rest of the country because there still is a huge arab influence within buildings and sites. The history is also interesting because the Muslim empire ruled the south of Spain for 8 centuries, so there are some interesting interactions between Spain and Morocco. I was very close to Portugal and Morocco which made it cheaper to travel to those countries. I loved my traveling experiences. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Please watch your things at all times. People steal a lot. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I always spoke in Spanish while I was in Sevilla the only times I would ever speak english was when I was traveling. In the south because its not international most people can't speak english which makes it easier to practice everyday. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Please always keep in mind why you are studying abroad in the first place. If you truly want to improve you language skills and emerge into the culture its probably best to not go to an international city (ex Barcelona, Rome, Paris). While these cities are amazing when I traveled there I felt like it was so westernized that I didnt feel that much different. Although I sometimes missed being in a big, because Sevilla is really small, I wouldnt change it. I rarely spoke english and people were so traditional which made me learn so much about their culture. So at the end of the day its really want you want out of your experience. |
