Mi vida española- a time of growth in my young life. Past Review
By Kristyn G (Psychology/Spanish, Truman State University) - abroad from 01/17/2014 to 05/16/2014 with
College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Seville - International College of Seville
I grew as a person. I became self-sufficient, learned that it was okay to be at peace with yourself, and that there's a whole world out there different than your own with so much to give and so many experiences to have.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes are secondary in this program as most of my Spanish practice and learning was outside the classroom, interacting with the Spanish people. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty, mostly the office women were the most kind and helpful people I could have hoped for. They were there to help with any problem or talk about anything you wanted- truly amazing. The teachers were all very nice as well and really wanted us to succeed and grow in Spain. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first family I was with would have received only 1 star because the living situation just made me miserable; there was a baby (the host mother's grandson) there 3 days a week- crying from 8 am to 5 pm- the food was awful and microwaved, and the host mother didn't seem to want to engage with us, as well as her eldest daughter's rude and dismissive behavior to my roommate and I. However, my second host family was WONDERFUL!!! They included me quite often, always wanted to speak, and introduced me to all of their friends and family. I love my second host family and still communicate with them. I felt welcomed and wanted in their home which was a welcome change to the first living situation. My mood and experiences changed completely after the move. |
| * Food: |
To be fair, I am a very picky eater, but the food for the first couple was months was hard for me. It took me a while to find foods that we're Spanish and not American junk foods that I actually liked, but after some time there were many dishes that I miss a lot now after returning to the States. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Spanish people are very friendly and welcoming, always wanting to sit and have a good chat with you. Loved the culture. Very "no pasa nada"- very relaxed and refreshing compared to the short-sided and fast-paced US culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a very bad cough and cold and went to get help at the local clinic. Though my Spanish proved to be less-than- proficient in a healthcare setting, they were very thorough and helpful and I only had to pay for the medicine which was next to nothing. I was all better in a week. |
| * Safety: |
Many times I found myself walking home or taking a cab after a night out by myself and felt safer there than I do in my small town in Iowa. I heard some bad stories about cabs trying to make passes at girls alone in programs before me, but I never had a problem. |
| 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) |
While I had used much of the money I have been saving since high school in this trip (day-to-day spending, airfare, etc.), I found that I needed a lot of help financially from my parents. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Allot a certain amount for each month, save most for plane tickets to travel around Europe, but also don't deny yourself just because you're trying to save money. Over in Europe, saving makes you lose irreplaceable experiences, and trust me, they are worth the money. |
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 |
My conversational Spanish has improved exponentially since my time in Spain. Most was talking with my host family, but I feel so much more comfortable with my abilities now, |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Post- intermediate Grammar and Composition (SPAN 330) |
| 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? | Stay with a host family, not in apartments, because a good family with little English skills will help you so much! |
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? | How much money I would spend a week, a month, the whole program , really. I knew it would be a lot, that's why I saved for so many years, but it was hard to watch it all disappear faster than I expected. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
