Tell me more:
I found who I was and what I had been looking for in Granada.
AIFS: Granada - University of Granada
Program Information
Study in the lively city of Granada, perched between the dazzling white peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the glistening blue Mediterranean of the Costa del Sol. During your stay you will see some of the most beautiful and intricate buildings of the medieval world and soak in traditional Spanish culture with the ... More
| Provider: | AIFS |
| Location(s): | Granada, Spain |
| Year Founded: | 1964 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Kristen F. (International Relations, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) on July 07, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-07 |
| * End Date: | 2011-06-24 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The university offers classes in English and Spanish. I learned a lot in my classes, and they were pretty easy. I loved all of my teachers. They were all so nice and helpful. They were really interested in their student. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
AIFS by far had the best resident director and program staff in Granada. I made several friends in other programs and their staff didn't do half of what ours did. They care so much about the students and are always there to help in any situation. I knew could go to them with anything and they could help me figure it out. On countless occasions they made phone calls for me or could tell me exactly where I needed to go to find whatever I needed. They would take us to the doctor when we were sick and to the pharmacy to get our medicines. They absolutely went above and beyond their job duties. |
| * Housing: |
I lived with a host family right on the river. I lived with a Senor and Senora and another girl in my program. My family was amazing. I was treated like family! |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program set up several trips for us. We went to Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Sevilla, Gibraltar, Cordoba, AlmerÃa, Ronda, and London where the program starts! We saw so many beautiful cathedrals, museums, and famous artwork. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's just like another city. Don't walk around at night. Always take a cab. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did University of Arkansas - Fayetteville prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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? | Always be aware of the exchange rate and how many American dollars you are actually spending. |
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? | Intermediate 2 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish everyday. Not many people in Granada speak English. My host family didn't speak any English. AIFS set up intercambios for us with local students to practice Spanish. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be ready to have a life changing experience. Do everything you can sign up for. Get involved in the community |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | I feel like I have a much better understanding of people and cultures. I changed a lot. I'm a better person than i was before. |