Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Gracing Spain Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 01/18/2017 to 04/17/2017 with

KIIS: Sevogia - Experience Segovia Spring Semester Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about who Grace Callow is, how she functions in the world, and about various cultures. When I played volleyball, I got to be around people from different countries (Ukraine, the Jordan, Lithuania, Italy, Venezuela, Ecuador, Germany, and many more) so I got to hear many different, beautiful languages and learn about their ways of life. It was mind-blowing and eye opening. I learned a lot about my personal relationship with the Lord too.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

The house was always clean, and it was very spacious. I had my own space and I felt comfortable and safe.

* Food:

The food was great, but my host mom kept feeding me too much, despite my asking her to make smaller portions.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I got to play volleyball on a club team, help coach two other teams, and I went to a Protestant church and Bible study weekly, so I felt very socially integrated with Segovia's 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? Yes

The program was fantastic. I was supported very strongly by people from Berea and the KIIS Program. All my credits transferred easily to Berea and I knew the academic, as well as social, expectations placed on me. We had weekend trips every other Friday, so I got to explore lots of different cities in Spain, making me feel like I really got to know the country as a whole. We had about a week long spring break and a 10 day break for Holy Week, so I had opportunities to travel by myself and to other countries. I went to Paris for 3 days! It was a shorter program, less than 90 days, which was perfect for me because 3 months was a long time to live in a foreign country (I did get homesick) but it was also plenty of time to immerse myself in the culture and language.

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? About 50 dollars

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? Spanish 331
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Opportunity to travel
  • Classes-my professors were fantastic!
* What could be improved?
  • My host mom was kind of mean to me. She did lots of things right, but would often belittle me and say snide, rude remarks about me to my roommate and her friends, while I was present. I don't want to complain about her too much though, because she took good care of the house, laundry, and cooking.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how domineering Spanish moms were. I would have had less trouble with my host mom if I had known how controlling they were. My host mom and I did not get along very well because I'm an independent person, and she didn't like that. She called me rebellious anytime I said I didn't want to do what she commanded. I eventually just did all the things she told me to because I was tired of confrontations with her, but I ended up compromising some of myself. Knowing this, I would have been better prepared to be bossed around for 3 months.

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!