Study Abroad in Granada Past Review

By (Actuarial Science., Illinois State University) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I am very glad I chose to study abroad because I don't think I every could have fully understood what it was like to live in a different culture without experiencing it.

Personal Information

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I bought more food than I expected to.

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? I completed 2 years of Spanish in College
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I had to use English every day to communicate with my host family. Also, all of my classes were taught completely in Spanish, so I had to use the language to communicate with my professors and classmates who weren't American. I did encounter a lot of people in the city that would start speaking to me in English when they heard my accent, especially if I was struggling, but usually once I responded to them in Spanish they began conversing with me in Spanish again. I think I was able to pick up a lot of Spanish through this program.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans