Go to Granada if you want to have fun and learn Spanish Past Review
By Katie O (HISTORY., Rice University) for
AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program
Yes, I am definitely more independent and self-sufficient.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were not difficult and the quality of teachers was not up to the standards of my home university. However, students from other universities found the work difficult and the teachers demanding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a "piso" which is an apartment home with a family of 5. There were grown children and my padres were older but very welcoming. I lived on Camino de Ronda in a very nice, yet older home. Our room was spacious and the facilities were modern. <br /><br /> The neighborhood was very safe although there was a ton of construction going on due to the addition of a light rail system in Granada. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The travel portions of our program were phenomenal. Very organized, great tours, and opportunities to see all of Spain and even Morocco. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Our program director personally took people to the Hospital or doctor if they were not feeling well. Our safety was their number one concern. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | SAVE FOR TRAVEL! It can be cheap but it is so easy to go everywhere that bringing enough money for travel is essential. There were some times when it was obvious that people did not have enough money to travel and it created a small divide in the group among those who could travel and those who couldn't afford it. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Living with a host family was the part of studying abroad that improved my language the most. In the classroom it was the same as taking a language class in America, focusing on grammar and answering questions but in the house is where conversations happened. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go if you want to have fun, learn spanish, but not necessarily if you want a challenging academic semester. |
