Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wish I stayed a whole year. Past Review

By (Marketing And Spanish, Illinois State University) - abroad from 08/21/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how easy it is to make new friends from around the world and how much you can learn from other cultures.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Teachers really did their best to make classes interesting and enjoyable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

So helpful. They were extremely responsive as well.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The dinners could have been better. But the house mom was rarely there due to a sick family member.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I found a promotion job at a local bar.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat with your host family.

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

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? 245
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? Hang out with locals and your host family if they have kids your age. Watching local news and TV helps too.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Granada
  • The students from other schools that I met.
  • Nightlife
* What could be improved?
  • Host family dinners.
  • Class time options.
  • More freedom on trips.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Travel with friends not through CEA. It is cheaper and a lot more fun.

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 Urbanite
A 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.