Loved my time in Sevilla. The program attracts a great group of students and I had a blast while there. The housing where students lived was a bit spread all over the city (I was about a 40min walk from class), but everyone meets up for the botellon in a few parks/ plazas on weekends, so it wasn't bad. The classes through CIEE took things much more seriously (attendance was important, as was turning in homework), but the professors were generally good. The classes at the university of sevilla were much more laid back, the grade almost entirely dependent on the final exam, and little support. But not bad. Great time. Definitely recommend it.
This program lets you see a side of the world you can not even imagine. There is no other way to get the depth into Thai society than to see it with the help of the experienced, thoughtful staff and interns of this program. About half of the time in the program is spent in the home city of Khon Kaen (a non-touristy city that rarely sees outsiders) in dorm-type housing with a Thai roommate. The other half of the time is spent living with different Thai families that are involved with local issues and this is the real unique feature of the program. This gives you an unparalleled glimpse into how people really live. You sleep where their children sleep, you eat what they eat, you do what they do and truly see what it means to be a Thai villager. Spending time with people that do not speak a word of English really pushes you to learn the language too.
The primary objective of the program is learning about social organizing and grassroots efforts. Thailand is part of the global economy for good and for bad. This program shows you what it means to get the short end of that arrangement. Many of the communities you visit are battling issues such as dams flooding their community in the pursuit of electricity, finding a way to make a living by sorting through the trash at the landfill, and what it means to be a sex worker. These experiences are nothing less than amazing and the highlights would be too too many to list. Some of the things that stay with me are:
- eating a silkworm prepared by an old woman spinning silk for a weaving cooperative
- trying to pay attention to an interview with a sex worker while a trained elephant did tricks in a dark alleyway
- spending the night in the landfill and playing with the children that make that place their home
- harvesting rice
- eating a rat that the boys smoked out of its hole and waked with a shovel with a side of lotus flower stalks and bamboo shoots I harvested as we were subsisting off of the bounty of the swamps
- meditating with monks and following them on their morning alms rounds
- meeting with USAID officials about their Thai programs
This program is truly one of a kind. It is not your typical party semester abroad but if you want something different this is it. It will realign your perspective as a global citizen forever and for the better.
My summer spent in Seville was extremely formative - in all senses of the word. I enhanced my Spanish language ability, overcame many personal challenges, and immersed myself in a new and vibrant culture. I had known prior to my time in Spain that I had a knack for traveling and meeting new people, but the personal growth and independence I experienced are outcomes that I hadn't previously considered, yet are skills that stick with me to this day. Seville is a beautiful city that can entertain visitors for months and even years on end. The architecture, rich historical legacy (as the major port for goods to/from the "New World" during the "conquest"), delicious cuisine and vibrant social scene make it the perfect study abroad location. I have to give much of the credit for Seville's appeal to CIEE as well, as they administered a perfect program with unique academics, super attentive and friendly support staff; and the perfect amount of excursions and social activities - all in a beautiful, recently renovated "palacio" in the center of the historic downtown. I am now a professional in the field of study abroad, encouraging students to take the leap similarly to how I did, much to the credit of an amazing program in an amazing location.
The CIEE program in Prague is definitely worthwhile. I had a great time, and although I had some disappointments, the traveling experience, the culture shock, really helped me to understand there is more than just a US way of living. This is something I thought I already understood, but I was incorrect, and now I feel I have a better understanding of what is important in life.
I enjoyed my classes, although they didn't see quite as rigorous as my courses at home, The topics were unlike anything I could study at the University of Arkansas and kept me interested and my mind stimulated.
CIEE tried to do a lot of things for us in the beginning to get us out and seeing the country, but that soon waned and eventually stopped altogether. But I would hang out with friends (local and other CIEE students) on the weekends quite a bit, and classes only Mon-Thursday was really nice.
If you're keen to spend a semester in a non-traditional country (i.e. Italy or France), then studying in Prague definitely fits the bill and I can't recommend it enough. Have fun!
It is a really academic program. The lectures are attractive and most of them are thought by the most authority people, such as documentary film director.
People here are friendly, and the English is common used here. Lots of museum will keep you away from lonely.
I had a great experience on this program. They expect you to be pretty independent, but always assisted us with any difficulties. The beginning registration process was stressful, but they did their best to walk us through it. Overall my experience was a great one. I had a fantastic host family, who actually came to visit me in the states after I returned home. I took a very challenging course at the UBA and was able to seek out tutors. I returned with a thesis written in spanish, a network of argentine friends and a strong love of the argentine culture.
Lack of safety in the housing in 2008. Hopefully much improved by now. The location was good, however the housing I received was subpar and was not officially "ready" for inhabitants when we got there. The program staff was helpful as much as they could be, but they were a bit too small in number when we really needed action taken.
Cape Town is amazing though, and despite the grievances I had an awesome time. Go CIEE.
