Lots of Pomegranates Past Review
By SavyMack (Wofford College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/16/2015 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned soo much about myself and the people around me. I got to experience a different culture that seemed so very very different from my own at first and yet became familiar and comfortable by the end. I LOVED my time in Granada and would recommend it in a heartbeat!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was no where near as rigorous as my home university, and yet I was never bored. I feel like we had just the right amount of work to do. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff and professors were all incredible!! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of my favorite parts of the semester. Some of my very best memories are of spending time with them, cooking, eating, playing games and chatting. |
| * Food: |
My host mom made incredible lunches everyday and learned what we liked so that she could cater to our tastes. Dinners are not provided by your host family in this program, but no worries because tapas in Granada are free with a drink! We quickly found our favorite places, but there was always somewhere new to try. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt extremely integrated. There are of course a few touristy spots, but not so many that people automatically start talking to you in English. Along with my Spanish classes of course, I feel that simply living in Granada significantly helped my Spanish skills. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only got sick once during the program, and it was just a simple cold, so I didn't experience much with healthcare. However I had friends who did, and program staff seemed to be very helpful to them! |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe walking to and from my host family's house. |
| 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) |
Although Granada is a relatively inexpensive city, it is easy to spend a lot if you are not careful. Dinner every night adds up fast! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Our host families did not speak English, and all of my classes were taught in Spanish! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring slippers. Take advantage of every moment, and get to know the city -- don't travel every weekend! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
