Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

idk Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 06/30/2018 to 07/31/2018 with

KIIS: Segovia - Experience Spain Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The Spanish practice and experience was the most useful for me and that is what makes it worthwhile... however, I didn't use Spanish as much as I expected because I didn't interact with Spaniards as much as I thought I would

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I didn't feel like the program activities were organized well and I didn't feel like the classes were the best fit for me, I didn't learn much and there was a lot of busy work that I spent time working on when I could've been participating in events in the city or something

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not very much money because we were provided 3 meals
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? don't spend a lot of money on small things like snacks or little food items or cups of coffee. the expenses add up

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? 310
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? struggle through the misunderstandings, don't resort to your native language just because it's easier

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Spanish practice/experience
  • Visiting different towns and cities
  • Opportunities for independent travel
* What could be improved?
  • better balance of classes- some were really hard and others were really easy and the class levels didn't reflect it well
  • less homework/workload OR integrate the culture into
  • better organization of the class trips, most of the time we didn't know why the things we were seeing were important or why the cities were significant, the trips almost didn't make much sense
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think I was pretty well-prepared except for the underwhelming classes

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 Linguist
You 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!