Once in a lifetime experience Past Review

By (Peace And Justice Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

CIEE: Seville - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile! I made great friends and studied in a completely foreign culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

All of the classes were in Spanish, so there was definitely a level of challenge when it came to the classes. Some classes were more challenging than others.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

For the most part they were extremely helpful with any problems or concerns. Sometimes I felt they grew a little impatient or became insensitive to the feelings of the students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My particular housing situation was fine, the family did exactly what they were required to do but they didn't embrace me as a part of their family like I would have hoped. They didn't go beyond their duties like many other families did.

* Food:

The food was fine, but in my family the father nor the mother could cook so food got very repetitive and not so good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I stood out a lot as an American even just based on my clothing so it was challenging to a certain extent to fit in.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to the foot doctor once and the program was very helpful in making an appointment for me.

* Safety:

They always asked where we were going if we were leaving the area, but I never felt unsafe.

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)

Food and personal expenses weren't a problem, it was more so the traveling that I wanted to do that caused monetary problems.

* 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? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend for the sake of spending just because you're in Europe or abroad.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Oral and Written Communication 241
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the location
  • the classes
  • the people
* What could be improved?
  • class times
  • number of Americans (there are too many!)
  • mix Spanish and Americans more
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known the difficulty I would face in trying to increase my use of Spanish being surrounded by mostly Americans in my program.