Centro Lenguas Modernas study abroad in Granada Past Review

By (Communication Sciences And Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin) for

AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was fun. Like I said, I felt like it was a bit expensive for what we got. Cultural awareness remains unaffected. I miss my professor Carlos and am sad to return to UT classes, I'm going to continue to learn spanish. I want to go back to Spain asap.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Centro Lenguas Modernas
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was good. Less than at UT-austin which made it easier to travel and have more free time. However, I still learned a lot in class and my professors were all very helpful. My favorite teaching method was by my grammar profe Carlos; he would give a lesson and then the class would practice them, then he would instruct again, then we would practice. It was a very efficient way of teaching, plus he was super cool and hilarious.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

i didnt like how many people there were. it wasnt good for me. paula and inma were helpful, nice, organized and efficient. my expectations were surpassed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I dont know the neighborhood or building name. It was right at the intersection of Camino de Ronda and Calle Recogidas. Basically all the residences in my program were pretty centrally located. It took everyone about 15-20 minutes to walk to class. <br /><br /> meals were good, safe neighborhood but you HAVE TO BE CAREFUL of creepy spanish guys. never let anyone a man into a small apartment elevator with you, especially at ngiht. always walk home with a friend. there were clubs and bars, no shortage. LOTS of shopping. DO NOT tell people Granada is a small town. I and some of my other friends were disappointed because our advisor told us it was a small town, it's not. there are stores and bars and clubs everywhere. Dont expect any village-like aspect at all. We had to buy towels for the house but basically everything else was provided. Our host family ate meals with us and stuff. I never became very close, it was always kind of awkward except for my "host brother" mateo. We, and my roommate became super good friends and we'd go out together and go on trips together. it was super fun having him as a brother during that time.

* Food:

Mama cooked great meals. However, I AM PICKY about food. I think one of the most important things is eating healthy food and for breakfast you will have some sort of sugary white bread and cafe con leche. If you want to have a healthy breakfast, expect to buy it at some specialty health food shop. It really sucked for my healthy friends whose host moms cooked them burgers, pizza or eggs every single day. I LOVE SPANISH OLIVE OIL. its the only olive oil i buy now; yum!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

morocco was interesting, trips with friends were fun.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

i had to go to the doctor once. Paula went with me. I forget the deal with the payments and insurance and stuff. Healthcare was perfect. Hospitals clean. everything was good.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Well, one guy had a girlfriend who also came to Granada NOT in the program. Her costs, with living and food and everything cost about 5000 dollars. whereas ours cost about 20,000. basically, with AIFS, you pay 10,000 for little trips, friends, and organization.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 312L i think.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced with my professors and host families. I used it everyday, in stores and at cafes. Most people did not speak English, not including my classmates.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • International Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Dont expect to be in control of your food, dont expect friends to just come to you, you have to put yourself out there, TRAVEL a lot, use ryanair, use hostelworld.com, dont buy rail passes, use ALSA.es for buses, find El Piano if you want veggie food, go on long walks in the mountains, check out spanish beaches, check out spanish mountains.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spanish Grammar- Advanced B2.1

Course Department: Spanish 304,0603
Instructor: MEDINA MONTERO, CARLOS GUSTAVO
Instruction Language: spanish
Comments: Challenging. No field trips. Participated A LOT more in his class than any other class I've taken in college. He's my favorite professor out of my entire, definitely UT included, college experience.
Credit Transfer Issues: dont know yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Intensive Spanish Language- Upper Intermediate B1.2

Course Department: Spanish 202, 0507
Instructor: MEDINA MONTERO, CARLOS GUSTAVO
Instruction Language: spanish
Comments: i loved carlos especially in this class because there were only 6 other girls so I got a lot of practice. This was the most beneficial thing to my improved spanish.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

History of Spain

Course Department: History 308, 0A01
Instructor: JIMÉNEZ ESTRELLA, ANTONIO
Instruction Language: spanish
Comments: Learned a lot of interesting stuff but the profe spoke in more advanced spanish than i could 75-90% understand, which I could do with my other profes. He gave us printed out notes, which made it easier to understand, but his tests were like "write what you know about Carlos V" ...and it's like...if you dont have good EXTRA notes, you wont be able to write that much. Good class overall, I'd just say be prepared to study more for this one.
Credit Transfer Issues: dont know
Course Name/Rating:

Speaking and Writing Skills- Advanced B2.1

Course Department: Spanish 306, 0605
Instructor: PÉREZ VELA, Mª PILAR
Instruction Language: spanish
Comments: Awesome, necessary course. I learned a lot about the ways of the Spanish. Plus, my profe was way awesome. Fun class overall.
Credit Transfer Issues: dont know
Course Name/Rating:

Spanish Literature (19th and 20th century)

Course Department: Literature 302, 0A02
Instructor: LAMOLDA GONZÁLEZ, MARÍA ÁNGELES
Instruction Language: spanish
Comments: kind of boring. shes really nice. I just shouldnt have taken this course, I guess I dont like literature.
Credit Transfer Issues: it does not count as a literature credit for ut! be warned!