API (Academic Programs International): Granada - University of Granada Photo

Granada: Amazing to say the least

Program Information

The University of Granada was chartered and given official Papal ratification by Clemente VII in 1531. Through its almost 500 years of existence, it has become one of the major intellectual centers in southern Spain. The University’s Modern Language Center, the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, is housed in what was... More

Provider: Academic Programs International (API)
Location(s): Granada, Spain
Year Founded: 1997
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Allyson H. (Spanish, University of Kentucky) on January 26, 2012

Overall Rating

Review Photos

API (Academic Programs International): Granada - University of Granada Photo API (Academic Programs International): Granada - University of Granada Photo API (Academic Programs International): Granada - University of Granada Photo

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-08-27
* End Date: 2011-12-21
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 very duable. It depends on what program you're enrolled in because I wasn't in culture or literature classes. I was only in Spanish language classes and so all I needed to do was study throughout the whole month and practice my Spanish in the city and with my host family and before an exam i would be good to go. the grading is between 1-10 with 1 being failing and 10 being a perfect A which is pretty impossible to get if you are learning a language and aren't fluent yet. however, a 9 is also an A. The difference between my host and american university is just that the teachers, being from Spain themselves, were way better at teaching the language in different ways than the teachers here.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The programs strengths would be that they were always available and that they always had valuable information for us. they also set aside trips for us to take us to different places in Europe. They were always on top of getting things done and had answers to all of our problems. The program size wasn't too big and they were able to learn all of us on a first name basis pretty well. All my expectations were definitely met with API.

* Housing:

Choosing two different housing arrangements is because I stayed with a host family. It was a mother and her two daughters and it was a very valuable experience. I didn't need anything in my host family, but some people did need certain things like towels or soap in theirs. I also stayed with a local guy however who I became real close with. We would always go on trips together and to tapas etc so it was easier sometimes for me to stay in his apartment with him and his roommates. I was treated very kindly in my host family and the food and service given was amazing.

* Food:

My meals were always big enough to fill me up and if I ever had a meal where my host mom or sisters felt I wouldn't be full they always offered me more food. you will find that in Spain you will constantly be asked if you want more food. Tapas are huge in Spain and if you study in Granada the tapas are free!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I went on trips to other cities in Spain and also to Paris, France. Paris was breathtaking and more than I ever imagined. My program took us on that trip over a weekend from a Thursday to a Sunday and it was well worth the experience with everything we did. I also went on trips with my Spanish friends which sometimes were way more fun than ones my program took us on. We got to practice the language the whole time and experience things from the culture itself in the locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Granada is a very safe city and I didn't see or hear of any problems in Granada. I myself had to experience the healthcare system because I was hospitilized for 4 days in the hospital and my program directors and host mom always came to visit me and make sure I understood the doctors and was getting taken care of. The hospital was really nice and so was the room I was in. My Spanish friend and another American girl I became close with stayed with me in the hospital the whole time I was in there.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did University of Kentucky 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
Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced my language with my Spanish friends who I became close with and then a lot in my classes.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Everything
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* 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? I would recommend the Spanish Language Program in Granada through API. If you don't need culture or literature classes and are only interested in learning the language then that's the right one. That's because you move up by levels each month as you improve your language skills.
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Way more than worthwhile. It opened my eyes up to so much more and I was able to meet and become close with some other Americans in other states whom I can now go and visit and also Spaniards that I can keep in contact with. I am going back in a year to teach English which is a big thing offered to you while abroad to get you to come back.