Well, I had sort of a realization today.
First I must start by saying that whenever you hear someone talk about their SYA experience, it is ALWAYS positive. They don't include the bad stuff, and of course there are bad things to every situation.
I'm sorry if my posts make it sound like I'm not taking advantage or appreciate everything I've been given because it's more than that. So far, my SYA experience hasn't been the super amazing happiest and best year of my life. I do, however, absolutely LOVE my host family and I am really interested in the culture and way of life that the Spaniards live. I love it. I am just not in love with the program.
My reasons being:
First off, they aren't at all supportive and understanding for the seniors. We have 9 seniors out of 70 kids and the teachers aren't understanding as to how much work we actually have to do along with the homework they give us.
Second, they don't try to create personal relationships with the students. It's all work all of the time.
Third, I'm not really connecting with the kids like I do back home. I know I can't compare to Red Door people, but I really only get along with 4 or 5 kids here. It's also hard being around the same people ALL of the time. If I spend a week with you going to school, chances are I will be sick of being with you by the weekend and will want to hang out with someone else. That's just how I am. And I don't really have that option here.
Don't get me wrong, I am definitely trying my best to take advantage of the program. My friends and I are going to Pamplona on the 18 and I really want to travel a lot this semester. I just merely want to point out that though you may only always here amazing things about SYA, not everyone has that type of experience. A lot of kids here are now starting to really hate the program and that does happen but no one hears about the bad parts because it distracts from the positive "propaganda" for the program.
I'm not at all saying that you shouldn't do SYA. I think it's an amazing experience and really helps you grow as a person and can also really help you find yourself. I know I have gotten a lot out of it in that way and I'm extremely grateful for that.
I am however suggesting to juniors interested in applying that doing SYA as a senior is a lot harder and I wouldn't recommend it. But of course it is your decision in the end, I just want to give you a heads up that it's hard, a lot harder than I expected anyways, and it's not all smiles and travelling. It's a lot more of working Saturday nights and stress crying. (well for me it was haha) But first semester is the hardest and I think second semester will at least be a little better and will go by faster, even though first semester flew by.