Mi corazon se queda en Grana! My heart remains in Granada! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes themselves were not difficult. I think the higher the level you were, the better the classes, obviously. I think I learned the most from my translatino classes.

On-site administration of your program

Curra and Carmen are two of the most wonderful women I have ever met. They were available 100% of the time and went above and beyond their call of duty. They enhaced my experience ten fold. The experience in Granada would not have been the same without them.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a older couple for the first semester...which was good to get grounded.. but I found my own housing after Christmas and looking back wish I would have from the start. I learned way more living with 2 Spanish guys who didn't speak English and were around my age than I did with my host parents. Both great experiences, but the ladder is definitely what I preferred. Really gets you to leave your comfort zone and completely immerse yourself in the host culture.

I was less than impressed with the food from my host parents, but it was givin in copious amounts, I never went hungry! Once I was cooking for myself and with my roommates I was a lot happier. Also going to the street for food is part of the experence, so tapa hopping in Granada was a favorite past time.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Depending on how open you are, the more native friends you make the better. A lot of API classes are with Americans so it's up to you to find Spanish/local friends... but they organize intercambios to facilitate that process. I got involved in the community, talked a lot, and had a blast.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was lucky enough not to have a health issue that year, but had friends who did. The hospitals were easily accesable, and the directors were very responsive to problems, and were there to help translate any health related questions. The pharmacies in Spain are wonderful, you can get whatever you need over the counter, and for pretty cheap.

Again, I never had a problem, but heard of some muggings at night, or bothersome men. But this is a question of common sense and street smarts! Don't walk alone at night, especially being American! I felt very safe in Granada, and lived about 30 minutes walking outside the center and had no problems walking at all hours.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Money wasn't a super big deal, I didn't shop a lot like other students, just bought the basics. If you're going abroad, a lot of the experience is to travel and experience new things, so based on your budget, you can work with anything I think.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were encourage to only speak Spanish. Those who took advantage of that are the ones who improved, those who didn't... were seeing minor improvements. The directors spoke in Spanish, but it's a personal decision to put yourself out there to improve. You're in Spain! Speak Spanish! Or try...

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• Host Family
• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• Location
• Directors
• Balance in organized and independant activities

• Clarity on what to expect from a host family

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer