Granada with George Mason, not worth it! Past Review

By (psychology, George Mason University) for

George Mason University: Granada - Spanish Language Study

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I will never do this again and will do whatever in my power to not have anyone else do this study abroad program.

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.

The workload was a joke and it did not matter how well you did or how much of the work you did. If you were not the directors favorite, you will not get credits for your minor or major through this program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I hardly was fed and had a unfit roommate.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was not treated as a family member and hardly got fed.

* Food:

I do not eat meat but almost every meal had meat. She would make a lot of eggs for me, I did not spend that much money for eggs.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My tour was rushed into the Al Hambra and was not cared for or had any explanations of the sites.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

A lot of the kids got pick pocketed because they were not told how to act in a foreign country.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Most people spoke English and nobody interacted with spanairds and I learned nothing

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Met nice people
* What could be improved?
  • More excursions
  • better directors
  • More fit guides
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Save your money, and live there, teach English and immerse yourself in the language.