All students participating in our programs are placed in carefully screened Spanish homes, usually in pairs. Living in a Spanish home is one of the most important aspects of the students’ intercultural experience because it helps to improve language skills and increase cultural awareness, two key goals of the program.
Please note: Spanish families can be made up of married couples (Young or older) with children or no children, as well as widows with children or not.
Naturally, adjustments with regard to customs, food, and heat must be anticipated by the students. SAIIE does take dietary and other personal restrictions into consideration when assigning students to their host family.
The principal goals of increased fluency in the language and greater familiarity with the culture are an integral element of the experience that SAIIE strives to provide. Therefore, all students must live in Spanish homes; that is, no students are allowed to live independently in their own apartments or in any other housing situation that is not approved by and under the direct supervision of the Institute's staff.
HOST FAMILY INFORMATION
All students will receive their host family information one week before ARRIVAL into Seville by email. SAIIE will provide airport reception.
ROOMMATES
All students will receive their roommate information UPON ARRIVAL into Seville. All students are housed with other students studying abroad at SAIIE. Each student will have 1 to 3 roommates. Students can list another student on the program they wish to house with on their accommodation questionnaire located in their online application.
LOCATION
Students can easily walk from their homestay to SAIIE, with travel times ranging between 15 and 45 minutes. If students would like to rent a bike while in Seville, the city has an excellent bike rental program called Sevici which many past students have used. The EUSA study center is located a 20-30 minute walk away from the SAIIE facilities and the University of Seville about a 15minute walk. If you cycle it takes 10 minutes to EUSA and 5 minutes to the University of Seville.
MEALS
The host family will provide breakfast and mid-day meals Monday through Friday and evening meals Sunday through Thursday. The remaining meals must be arranged and paid for out-of pocket by the student.
WI-FI
All Spanish homes and the SAIIE center have WI-FI, and it is easily accessible at local cafes.
LAUNDRY
Each student is allowed 1 load of laundry per week, which is washed by the host family.
"Living with a family for me was a great and rewarding experience. We became her niños (children). It helped me become more immersed in the language as well as learn about Spanish culture on a deeper level. Our Señora (Spanish Landlady) always wanted to make sure we´ve eaten enough and have a jacket"
Dylan Saline
Carleton College
"Living with a Spanish host family was something I was nervous about, but in the end, it was probably my favorite part of the study abroad."
Mike Adams
UW-Platteville
Señora Elena opened her home to me and she is and always will be my second mother. She told me, in Spanish of course, “If you ever return to Sevilla, you will always have a bed in our house!” This is an example of the relationship that SAIIE enables you to have.
Samantha Pratt
UW-Whitewater
"Living with a family for me was a great and rewarding experience. It helped me become more immersed in the language as well as learn about Spanish culture on a deeper level. I would recommend living with a family to anyone who wants to study abroad, you will gain a new perspective and outlook on life."
Colleen Henke
High Point University
PHOTO GALLERY
CONTACT US
For more information on housing, please contact the Director, Ms. Samantha Chipres at samanthac@saiie.com