Granada: A Complete Change of Heart Past Review
By Sigourney C (Global Studies, Providence College) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
the greatest impact on my time abroad has been the community service aspect. i had no idea what i wanted to do after college, but after having spent time in the classroom, i would love to teach english in a spanish speaking country.it was tough work, but so rewarding at the same time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a family of two, mother and daughter, in an apartment complex on one of the main streets, 25 minutes walk from the city center, very safe during the day. i had my own room and was treated as part of the family. |
| * Food: |
my host mom broker her leg when i got there so my sister and i made a lot of our meals and sometimes we run out of food when we dont have time to do the shopping, but my abuela's food was outstanding! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
one of my favorite trips was to sorvilan, the small village in the Alpujarras. it was just the eleven of us in the program, but we had so much fun that weekend hiking and spending time together as a whole group. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
overall, granada is a pretty safe city. however it is a city and there are places you shouldnt be after a certain hour. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | plan non-program trips further in advance and keep in mind the exchange rate, it can really do a dent on your budgeting. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had to speak Spanish everyday, at school, with my host family, with my rugby team, as well as with the people in the street during random day to day activities. The majority of the population here in Granada only speak Spanish so I had to speak the language in order to communicate. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | this program offers COMPLETE immersion and they deliver. the first month i felt completely trapped here, seeing all of my friends traveling to a different country every weekend, while i was stuck in granada with class until 230 on friday. however, when i did end up traveling, i found myself getting homesick, for granada! i can honestly say what many of my friends cannot, that i have not only studied abroad, but i lived in a foreign city for three and a half months and not only do i know it, i love it. |
