A Great Semester in Granada Past Review

By (Wheaton College, MA) - abroad from 01/29/2016 to 05/22/2016 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It greatly helped my proficiency and it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

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.

* 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?

Thankfully, I never fell ill. However, my roommate did and he always received the care he needed.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

My only regret is not living in Granada for another semester.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25 Euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget. Budget. Budget.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 150
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? Always practice with whomever you meet. Ease up on the Google translate when writing papers as well.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The Staff
  • Javier Martinez de Velasco, the Director
  • How well organized it was.
* What could be improved?
  • Perhaps homestay could be situated closer to the IES center.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that taking an internship would improve my immersion.