Granada: Life-changing but glad to be back Past Review
By Lindsay H (Bilingusl Elementary Ed, Illinois State University) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain
I think I became much more worldly, mature, and responsible. I think this experience will really help me as a bilingual education major and teacher.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad De Granada |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload wasn't bad. I didn't get much homework, but I had to do lots of studying during midterms and finals. I liked the grading system. I think the worst part was that all of my classes were lectures. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I am really happy with the CEA. They were always available to help and if they coun't help, they led us to someone else who could. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really liked my senora. She was great! We had some problems with her son being rude though. |
| * Food: |
I'm a really picky eater, so I didn't really like much. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent a lot of money on shopping. I would say don't buy things that you don't need or things you don't really want or need. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | LAN 213.15 (advanced grammar) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We all spoke Spanish anytime we interacted with people outside of the USA. Basically all day in chool and with my host family. Not many people spoke English. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think people who want freedom but benefit from having people around supporting you and advising you would love the CEA, |
