I will never leave Spain. Past Review
By Jessica M (International Relations, Oakland University) for
GEO: Segovia - Study Abroad Programs in Segovia
I met a boy while being here in Spain and I stayed for the summer. I absolutely love it here. I have learned a lot about the different cultures within Spain and how they feel about Americans.
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. |
I learned a lot in all my classes and I didn't find it any different here in Spain than in my university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Marian (our director) was amazing. She was willing to do whatever for us. She was very helpful and always friendly. I learned a lot about Spain through the program and the excursions. There were only 9 people in my group (including me) so it was a little smaller than I expected, but that just meant I had to talk more Spanish. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location of my house was awesome, right next to the bus station. I didn't need to buy anything at all. My host mom was okay. My host dad was amazing. |
| * Food: |
My mom wasn't a very good cook so I never really knew how good Spanish food was until my boyfriend cooked for me. I highly recommend eating at Jose Maria's. It's sort of expensive but it has the best cochinillo. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Andalucia and it was amazing. My friends and I were able to make it to Las Fallas in Valencia and I recommend that everyone should go. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's very safe. Segovia is really small and I don't think very many bad things happen. I went to the doctor's a few times while I was in the program and it was very easy. The local healthcare system is the same. No vaccines needed prior to arriving. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish with my host family, all the friends I made, my boyfriend and his family, and of course at school. Yes I needed to use the language everyday. Hardly no one speaks English. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Try everything: food, music, people, just be open. Also, speak in Spanish every chance you get. I think any type of student can do it. |
