The Best Month of My Life Past Review
By Lily F (Beacon High School) - abroad from 07/29/2012 to 08/25/2012 with
Arcos Journeys Abroad: High School Program - Spanish Language & Culture in Granada, Spain
I gained valuable life and educational experience. It really opened my eyes to other cultures and I made friendships that I will be keeping for a very long time. I will also definitely return to Granada because of this.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Granada |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were incredibly interested and I learned a lot. There were two teachers, one of which was wonderful, the other a bit rude, but she had nothing to do with Sol Abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The two directors, Isabel and Eli were great. They organized really fun activities and were really helpful and kind. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They were generous and sweet, but very unsocial. They talked to us at a bare minimum. They never took us anywhere or tried to interact with us. We tried to instigate conversations but they did not really lead anywhere. My Spanish did not improve as much as I wanted it to from the host family experience. |
| * Food: |
Well, I'm a picky eater so I did not enjoy the food much. However, most normal people would like it. It was a little awkward with the host family though who wanted to accomodate us but still did not do such a great job. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated and made many native friends who were very welcoming. It really felt like home. I cannot wait to return. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any experiences with healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I always very quite safe, but apparently pick-pocketing is common. |
| 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) |
I'm in highschool, but apparently the program is a great value |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't blow it all on water bottles! Bring your own metal one!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The classes and host family experience were all in Spanish but among the group members we all spoke English. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make a pact with the other group members to speak the given language for a certain time period each day. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the food would be very different. Also I would have liked to know how hot it would be and that I should have brought a metal water bottle. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
