AIFS: Granada - University of Granada Photo

Granada: BEST little city in Spain, A MUST-SEE

A Study Abroad Program Review For

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:

Daniel Z. (Sociology, Government, The University of Texas at Austin) on August 08, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-01-06
* End Date: 2011-05-25
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was fairly easy and the grading system was lenient. The teaching methods was based on workbooks and lectures. We do have a lot of spanish presentations to work on but that should be the only difficult thing with classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My expectations were totally met and the program support services were excellent.

* Housing:

* Food:

My host mother fed us three times a day and everywhere they have snacks in the city and was only 1 euro for pizzas and bread.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Field trips to Madrid, Segovia, Malaga, Sevilla, Toledo and special events to check out tapas and flamenco shows. My program provided LOTS of cultural programs and events all the time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The safety in Granada is relatively great. I had a friend who had to go to the hospital because he experienced a devastating flu but the program was always there everyday to accomodate him.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did The University of Texas at Austin prepare and support you for your time abroad?

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice the language from intercambios in Spain and yes, I did need to use the language everyday. Everyone spoke Spanish and few spoke English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students
  • Host Family

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? Make tons of local (Spanish) friends as you can so you can learn from their differences and of course, practice the language. A type of student that would benefit most from studying abroad would be a person who is open-minded to try new things.
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Yes, I gained an understanding for my culture and language. It has helped me want to practice spanish all the time and learn multiple languages as well.