Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Aqueduct, Alcazar, & Tortilla: Oh My! Past Review

By (Spanish Language, Literature, Berea College) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 04/20/2015 with

KIIS: Sevogia - Experience Segovia Spring Semester Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Even if my spanish vocabulary didn't improve much, I have much more confidence. I think that's what I gained most.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was difficult in that we were studying entirely in another language, but the work load was not as heavy as that of Berea. The classes were good for practicing our Spanish, but I wouldn't necessarily say we learned much. We spoke more and gained confidence, but the content of the courses might need tweaking.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I personally was not satisfied with my living arrangements. On the housing application I checked the non-smoking box, but our house always smelled of smoke. Our host family rarely talked to us unless we initiated the conversation, and they never asked us anything about ourselves or how we liked Segovia or the food or anything. The home-stay is such an important aspect of the Segovia program, and my roommate and I felt cheated. We felt utterly unwelcome the entire time. The house itself was in a good location, but that was about the only good thing about the house.

* Food:

We had plenty of food-- we certainly never went hungry. But we hardly ever ate vegetables, and it was all red meat. Lots of meat. I'm not generally a picky eater, but sometimes enough is enough. My roommate actually got physically sick from the jamon. But, as I mentioned before, we had virtually no relationship with our senora to tell her our preferences.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not at all. They stared at us. At our clothes, at our smiling faces, at our backpacks, at our sandals. The employees at cafes would be rude to us and would only talk to us in english, even though we always addressed them in Spanish. Perhaps because it is a touristic place, but it was near impossible to feel integrated to the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Segovia; though I always traveled in a group. It might have been different if I had walked alone.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Daily life on that budget was fine. But to my understanding of a semester abroad, travel is very important. You learn and experience so much more than in a classroom, and the budget was simply not enough for travel.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Approx. $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cafe con leche is always worth the euro-fifty. The tulipa de yogur is not always worth the euro-fifty.

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? 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? Two 300 level courses--conversation and composition
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? Go out and meet people, especially alone. If there's a big group of Americans, no one is going to talk to you. But if it's just you, it may just happen. Also, don't let age be an indicator for who you talk to. Old people are generally harder to understand--good practice. Younger people have the new colloquialisms--good practice. Don't just try to talk to people within a few years of your age. Branch out.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The professors were patient and understanding, yet still expected us to always speak spanish.
* What could be improved?
  • More travel as a group.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much I personally was going to have to put into improving my spanish-- people think that you just kind of absorb the language from a semester abroad, but that's not true. You still have to work at it. You have to make opportunities to practice, to learn.