Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning the no pasa nada life and falling in love with Granada Past Review

By (Whitman College) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/18/2014 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be confident in my Spanish, about a totally new culture, and how to see the world with new eyes. Living my entire life in America gave me a narrow perspective on the world and now I feel like I understand people, culture, and the world better. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors were passionate and involved. Classes were interesting but pretty easy in comparison to the rigor of my university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very friendly and helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had the best host mom in the world and two amazing host brothers. I could not have asked for a better host family.

* Food:

Spanish food is delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never needed health care but was insured just in case. I did have a friend who fractured his ankle and he was very well taken care of.

* Safety:

Granada is a very safe city. Even at 3 am walking home by myself I felt completely safe.

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)

Shopping was tempting but in Granada you get a free tapa with every drink so dinner usually cost 3 euro or less, about $5.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40-$50

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 306
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? Try to avoid using English. Speaking in Spanish is really fun and exciting when you get good at it. I spoke Spanish as much as possible and improved greatly.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Host family
  • Living in the city
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • More Immersion with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Truthfully, I think I wish I would have known that I didn't need to worry. That I picked the perfect city and program for myself and that I was going to make amazing memories. Studying abroad is an incredible gift and there is no need to be nervous or anxious about it.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.