AIFS in Granada: best decision I EVER made!! Past Review

By (Sociology, Roosevelt University) for

AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES! This was the best thing I've ever done with my life. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. This program has increased my love for the Spanish language and culture even more than before. I didn't even know that was possible!

Personal Information

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.

I learned SO much while studying in Granada! My teachers were very nice and easygoing for the most part and weren't too hard on us. I did not find the workload to be too much or too little. It was perfectly in the middle. My teachers used tests as well as participation to determine our final grades which I really liked. Everything was very fair.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were FANTASTIC! They had an emergency phone on all the time so we always had a way to contact them in the event of an emergeny. They were also very concerned with how we were doing and always helped any concerns we may have had. They were so nice and easy to talk to. I felt very safe and happy in Granada because of my director.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My dorm was about a 20 minute walk from class. I did not need to buy any items upon arrival. My room was set up already and I felt very welcomed. I did not feel safe all the time in my neighborhood, but we had a heavy metal door which required a key to get in the building so that helped my housing concerns.

* Food:

The food was pretty good overall. We were not given good breakfast options though and sometimes I felt that there could have been a little more variety in the meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

During my study abroad, I went to London, Rome, and Morocco. These trips were inredible and helped me see and experience even more cultre than Spain had to offer. I especially felt this way about Morocco. I am so happy that I had the experience to travel to all these new and exotic places! I recommend everyone who studies in Spain to travel around to other countries and see as much as possible while you are already in Europe!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe most of the time in Granada. It is definitely a smaller city, so crime isn't really as big of a problem there as the big cities in Spain. I would just recommend everyone to be aware of your surroundings and be careful when traveling at night. You should also always travel in a group to help protect yourself. Don't let the fact that Granada is safer be an illusion to you; bad things can happen to anyone at any time.

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)

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 Spanish with my classmates, teachers, people in the town, and the cook at my dorm building. I did need to use Spanish everyday. Not many Spainards spoke English, but my program director did and all my friends from America did as well.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My director
  • the school/my classes
  • the cultural excursions
* What could be improved?
  • food
  • more time in London
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prepare yourself for the best time of your life. Don't sit inside on the computer and mope around about missing home. Get out and have fun! Meet people! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so treat it very special because it is. Any student will benefit from this program. It is absolutely perfect for the frequent traveler or a person who has never even left their state. It is what you make it.