I'll be back, Segovia! Past Review
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Berea College) - abroad from 01/22/2015 to 04/20/2015 with
KIIS: Sevogia - Experience Segovia Spring Semester Program
When they say you learn a lot about yourself when you study abroad, they're not kidding. Definitely worth it just for that. My Spanish is so much better, and I have the confidence to use it even when I know I'm messing up.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were weeks where I worked my tail off doing beneficial assignments, and then there were days where it felt like I was only doing busywork (usually in the conversation and business classes). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director wasn't always on top of things, which lead to confusion, but things usually went fine. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our host was lovely and she genuinely cared about us. Her food was delicious too. However, the room we were in was kind of small (two to a room with private bathroom) with only one desk and one power outlet (which was bad because we had to use our computers a lot), and venturing outside the room to do homework meant either getting in the way of the host or trying to focus while a radio or TV was blaring. |
| * Food: |
So good! I never went hungry. Only complaint is that she considered hot dogs to be a proper meat and served them as such (4 bunless hotdogs with spaghetti and salad, anyone?) and used bland store-bought frozen pizzas for a quick meal about once a week. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very isolated from the local culture. The program did arrange to allow volunteering in the community, but this was very spotty and not well organized. The only place where I felt like I was actually connecting with real Spaniards was at a local church I attended while there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I gave this a full rating, but only because it doesn't apply to me. I never had a health issue that need attending to while I was with the program. |
| * Safety: |
Segovia is a very safe city. I felt completely at ease walking around after dark by myself. |
| 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) |
This program is all-inclusive. The fee covers tuition, room, board, insurance, excursions, etc. If I had wanted I would have only had to spend about 20 euros the entire 3 months. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euro (snacks, souvenirs, travel, etc.) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid restaurants. Go straight to the grocery store. Get an ISIC card. The discounts it gave me paid for itself twice over. |
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 professors only spoke to us in English when it was absolutely necessary for clarification. The rest of the time it was always Spanish in the classroom. We were expected to speak to them and our host mom in Spanish at all times. |
| 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? | SPN 331 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes. What I discovered in Spain is that when people learn you're not a native speaker but want to learn, they are patient and willing to help you. Also, make some friends. Find a local church or do some volunteering so you can connect with native speakers in a natural environment. |
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? | Fewer clothes (especially fewer socks). Leave space for the stuff you are going to buy! Take your computer! Almost all our homework had to be typed, and the computers at the Center are old and not accessible on weekends or during the afternoon siesta. |
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! |
