Spanish, Segovia, and Siestas Past Review
By John Migliore (Bethel University) - abroad from 08/30/2019 to 12/13/2019 with
Centro de Estudios Hispánicos de Segovia (CEHS): Semester Programs
I learned how to speak Spanish. I had more than 4-5 years of high school and college level Spanish experience, but I was unable to hold a conversation. Now, I can claim I know Spanish and show it too. It was worth the hard work and I would do it over again if given the opportunity.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The coursework is geared specifically toward study abroad students. Professors assign coursework around the program's itinerary allowing for students to learn outside of the classroom. Acquiring Spanish as a language is the central focus within every aspect of the program. Whether learning in the classroom or on cultural excursions, students will be actively be engaging with material and resources. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director and assistant director are always readily available. The group of students participating in the program are the sole focus of the administration staff. Students will interact on a daily basis with the program director and will be able to utilize the staff as a resource at any point during the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Students will be placed with host families located in the city of Segovia. This is an opportunity to engage in the culture and language on a level that living with other college students does not offer. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Students will be living with a host family that sets them directly in line with local customs. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Segovia is a small, family city. Citizens are walking around at all hours of the day and night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This is the only program I am aware of that truly values the cultural immersion aspect of studying abroad. |
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) |
The program costs covered food and living expenses. All expenditures were made for pleasure purposes. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 0 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid spending any money the first two weeks. You will purchase souvenirs and memory items throughout the experience, but learn where the best shopping places are before making any impulse buys. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The faculty and student participants all frequently engaged in the language acquisition aspect of the program. |
| 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? | 2 Semesters of College level Spanish |
| 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? | Avoid your native language at all costs. Try to only use the language of the country you are in. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I is important to ease your way into the experience, but also, take advantage of the cultural experiences whenever possible. This will likely be the only time you have an opportunity to engage with the culture as a resident, rather than a tourist. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
