Granada has my heart! Past Review

By (Wheaton College, MA) - abroad from 01/29/2017 to 05/27/2017 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My time abroad was extremely worthwhile! It was so great to get out of the bubble of my small college. I learned how to connect with people from so many different backgrounds. I learned how to stretch myself by living in a country where (at the start) I was only at a beginner's level at the language. I developed new hobbies and became more comfortable with saying yes to fun opportunities that presented themselves. If I could do it all over again, I definitely would.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Granada - Study Abroad with IES Abroad Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not find the classes to be as intellectually stimulating as most of them were lecture style and not discussion based. However, most of my professors were really passionate about the topics and were committed to getting to know the students as individuals.The course load was manageable, obviously the work picked up around midterms and finals but in general I had plenty of time to enjoy my abroad experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I have done two study abroad programs and IES definitely sticks out in my mind for their thoroughness, fun experiences in Granada and various other cities, attentiveness to students, and the way that they foster great relationships among the students throughout the whole semester. Before I even landed in Spain, the IES Abroad staff was always available to answer my many questions. From the beginning of the semester, they set up great activities and excursions to meet friends early on, and helped each student individually find ways to get involved in the community if they wanted. The program is very organized which I appreciated.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I absolutely loved my host family. The mother included my housemate and I in different family events and activities. Living with a family also offered a chance to improve my Spanish immensely. I had a little brother who was so much fun too! Only downsides were that my hostmom was not a great cook and she smoked in the house occasionally. But I wasn't too concerned about that since she honestly made me feel right at home from the very start.

* Food:

My hostmom's food was not great but Granada bars and restaurants have DELICIOUS food. On top of the food being top notch, it is also super cheap. Free tapas abound in Granada and was often the dinner of choice for my friends and I.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were many different ways to get involved with locals (intercambios, volunteering, sports, etc.). It is very easy to get stuck in that "American bubble" though because it is comfortable, so that's just something to be conscious of.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any major healthcare issues. I did get a cold about a month in. When I felt sick, I just told my host mom and she directed me to a pharmacy and told me what to ask for based on my symptoms.

* Safety:

I personally did not have any safety issues. Even walking around really, really late at night, I never felt as if I was in danger. Granada feels very safe, kind of like a small town. I would still say to be conscious though,anything can happen anywhere.

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

After having experience with 2 different study abroad programs, IES definitely sticks out in my mind for their thoroughness, fun experiences in Granada and various other cities, attentiveness to students, and the way that they foster great relationships among the students throughout the whole semester. The staff is so invested in making sure all the students have a good experience and were available whenever I needed them. IES is extremely organized and the size made it super easy to meet people and connect within the program.

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)

It is very easy to live on a student's budget, especially if you are not traveling out of the country too much. Breakfast and lunch are provided by the host family. Going out for tapas for dinner never cost more than €4-5. I usually got snacks/pantry staples about every two weeks from the grocery store and spent about €25. Other than that, I really just spent money on flights and clothes (there were a lot of shops between the IES center and my home!).

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? €45-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a budget. It's not that difficult to leave from the Malaga airport and much cheaper than leaving from GRX, weigh your options when booking a trip.

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

I was afraid to take classes in Spanish and the director encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Spanish professors would always encourage us to speak Spanish if they heard English in the hallways. At my homestay, my hostmom never spoke English so that helped me a lot as well. I really felt challenged to express myself in Spanish rather than just resorting to English when something difficult came up.

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? College level Intermediate
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? Speak Spanish with your American friends, or at least Spanglish! Take advantage of time with your assigned intercambio, if you guys don't click or you just want more exposure, attend one of the many intercambios, trivia nights, etc. around the city. Read the newspaper, actively listen to Spanish music and television. Try your hardest to speak Spanish even if you know the other person speaks English, struggling through the awkwardness helps you gain confidence!

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

  • 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?
  • Excursions/Activities
  • Size & organization of the program
  • Dedication of the staff to the experiences of the students
* What could be improved?
  • Helping students that have bad host family experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Granada gets colder than you expect in the winter. 1 semester is not enough to spend in Granada!!