An Exceptional Experience Past Review
By Scott O (Hispanic Studies, Wheaton College, MA) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned to be more flexible and view issues and every-day life from more than one perspective. I learned to become adaptable and see the bigger picture, rather than focus on the smaller details.
Personal Information
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was very accommodating. We had a lot of interesting discussions about American and Spanish culture. She helped to make my experience in Granada valuable and unforgettable. |
| * Food: |
The food is amazing and very fresh! Breakfast and lunch are provided through the program, but dinner is on your own. Going out for tapas at night is a great opportunity to try food you might not get to try otherwise. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt well-integrated! Sometimes it is easy to stick with the people in the IES program, but if you're willing to venture outside the group you'll meet some incredible people from Granada! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe walking around Granada. At night, it is best to not to walk home alone. Take a cab or share one with a friend if you can, they are pretty cheap. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The IES Granada program provided an exceptional study abroad experience. This program helped me become immersed in Spanish culture and experience it authentically. My experience in Granada would not be as unforgettable had I not done it with the IES program. |
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) |
Food, in particular tapas, are very cheap in Granada. Other personal expenses like traveling and clothing are not as cheap, but are still manageable on a student budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
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 |
The program encouraged us to practice our Spanish whenever possible. They provided us the option to sign a contract to speak only Spanish with other students in the program center. I practiced my Spanish with other students in my program whenever possible. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Practice whenever you can! Even if you mess up a little, it goes a long way to show you care about learning another language. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or read the newspaper in your target language. Constant immersion is one of the best ways to become familiar with another language! Take advantage of being able to use a different language in a different part of the world, because these opportunities may not present themselves once you return home. |
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? | I wish I knew how short and valuable my time would be: three and a half months is shorter than you might think! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
