Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found each of my courses abroad to be engaging and appropriately challenging. My professors all demonstrated a passion for the subjects they taught, as well as a passion for communicating their understanding to the class. They encouraged questions and discussion, and expected students to participate and actively engage the material presented--whether in the form of classroom dialogue or take-home assignments.

On-site administration of your program

The program directors in Granada were fantastic. Not only did they endeavor immediately to learn all the names of the students in my program, but they worked constantly to offer us the best excursions and cultural opportunities available. They enabled students who desired to be more independent and plan their own adventures the space to do so, but also were present and willing to assist those students who wanted a helping hand as often as was needed. The staff was consistently friendly and genuinely interested in supporting students.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my housing situation. My host mom was phenomenal, an experienced hostess of international students and an incredible cook. I lived with a roommate with whom I was matched by API, and we quickly became great friends. Our host mom was very accomodating and understanding, expressing much patience with all of the international students living in her home over the course of the semester. Her apartment was very centrally located, making it very easy for us to walk just about anywhere in the city without even needing to catch a bus. I normally felt very safe both in the area where the apartment was located as well as in most other parts of the city, unless the hour was very late (past 2am), in which case I found it better to travel with other people to an from various locations.

The food provided by my host mom was fantastic. She cooked many things from scratch, and always saw that we were getting proper nutrition from consuming a variety of foods daily--all of which were prepared with an eye for healthy combinations. I was a psudo-vegetarian and my roommate was a strict vegetarian, and our host mom gladly accomodated both of our needs at every meal. We were always well fed, and therefore I rarely found a reason to eat out at restaurants, which definitely helped me save money. Even when I knew I wouldn't be home for a particular meal, my host mom would prepare a bag of food for me to take along. Overall, the diet in Granada was still a transition from my normal eating habits, but thanks to my host mom, the transition was both healthful and delicious!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every excursion organized by API was very worthwhile. The program always provided excellent accomodations for us in 3-5 star hotels with at least breakfast provided. Transportation was very good as well, as they provided coach buses specifically for the students in our program. They also arranged a variety of free activities, such as tours, for students to attend, along with ample free time so that students could explore on their own. One thing that impressed me about API was that they made a point to listen and respond to student feedback regarding exursions. Because our program was so large, we were often split into two groups for certain exursions. Each group was asked to fill out evaluations following the trip, and we noticed quickly that API adjusted the itinerary for the second group after reviewing the suggestions provided by the first. It was excellent.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I found Granada to be a very safe city. After getting accustomed to life in the city, I rarely felt threatened or unsafe. There are certainly areas to avoid, particularly if you will be traveling alone at certain hours of the night as in any city. People were very helpful, however, particularly when I got lost and needed to ask for directions. One time at the beginning of the semester I remember getting lost on my way home. I stopped a gentleman on the street to ask if he knew the street I needed. He didn't but got the attention of another passersby to inquire of them the same. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by a small crowd of people all endeavoring to help me find my way home! Thus, I realized that though Granadinos may not smile and say hello as they pass by me on the street, they are truly friendly and helpful people.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My rating should be understood in the following context: overall, my language skills improved dramatically. I was fluent by the end of the four months I lived in Granada. This was primarily due, however, to the fact that I sought out Spanish friends by my involvement in a local church and spent much of my time with them speaking only in Spanish. API did provide language exhanges with Spaniards which I attended only once while there. Because API is an American-based program, mostly all of the students in my program were native English speakers which made it difficult to immerse myself entirely--apart from my own independent efforts.