Pros and Cons Past Review
By Austin W (Public Relations, Murray State University) for
KIIS: Sevogia - Experience Segovia Spring Semester Program
It was a very costly dream come true. Costly in so many ways.
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. |
We had 4 hours of homework per night so I felt like that was too much. I could've done homework in my room for 4 hours at home, for free. I did enjoy the teaching methods and I did learn how to converse better, although I feel I didn't learn as much as I should have. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
more expensive than anticipated |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt that it was too far to be safe. My senora was wonderful and I loved her dearly but she didn't have much variety in food. We had the same 4-5 things in rotation. Also, I don't have a gallbladder so I tried to explain to her that I couldn't eat certain foods prepared certain ways and she didn't understand. So I was sick for the first 3 week trying to get my stomach accustomed to the food. We had shower issues the entire time we were there. Sometimes it would be hot for 6 minutes if we were lucky, but usually it was just freezing the whole time. And no one seemed to care about that too much. I was frustrated. |
| * Food: |
See above comments on food. No variety, too greasy, I was sick a lot. And ate out other times. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Prado, Madrid, Salamanca, Toledo. I LOVED Madrid and I thought it was cool that they oriented us, then let us go. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
A few girls got sick and were taken care of. I got no help mentally for what happened to me, unfortunately. Still have nightmares. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Whatever they tell you to bring, double it... |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 202 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
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| 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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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