Wonderful Past Review

By (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was the best thing I've ever done, I feel like I've grown so much and it was so much fun.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universidad de Granada, Centro de 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.

More casual than at home, there were a lot less regulations on assignments. It was more like write for five pages about an artist.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my homestay, but I know that a lot of other people have had problems with their families.

* Food:

My host mom is a great cook and she's always trying to feed me more, once again I have heard of people getting the same food every night for example just a bowl of soup ever night and or not getting enough food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

no experience with this, I never had to go to the doctor.

* Safety:

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)

* 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? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at home when you can, it saves you a lot of money. And when your traveling buy things from the local grocery store when you can, its cheaper.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

I would have liked it if they spoke to the groups more in Spanish, but I understand there are different levels of people.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish Grammar
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? Become friends with natives, and if you have a host family talk to them!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Great Staff, very friendly and welcoming
* What could be improved?
  • The level test did not seem accurate, I had people in my classes who could not speak well at all.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known to bring less clothes, you buy a lot.