Seasoned World Traveler! Past Review
By Bonnie P (Elementary Education, Spanish, Illinois State University) for
University of Granada: Granada - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I would do it again in a heartbeat!
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. |
Being used to the American grading system the grading system in Spain was a bit misunderstood. A 7 or up on the 10 point scale is considered a great grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The institution was great and I really have no complaints other than we should have had a program director with us for the semester. This should have been provided or set up through our home university so it is not the fault of the host university. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family!! They were young and helpful. |
| * Food: |
Just remember this is not American food and have an open mind! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
the school takes trips in granada and to other city in adalucia that were wonderful guality. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
is a very safe city. Just don't be stupid; take the same precautions there as you would here. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 on food as most food was provided at home. the rest depends on how much you want to travel and experience. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Books were a bit more expensive that predicted. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 213.15 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
In my host house we were not allowed to speak english at all. Our host parents did not speak a word of english and speaking english in front of them would have been insulting. Because they and most other locals do not speak english, I spoke spanish 85% of the time I was abroad. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Art in Spain |
| Course Department: | LAN 305.15 |
| Instructor: | Salvador Gallego |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I absolutely know nothing about art. However, I loved this course. Salvador made it so interesting and was aware that most college students know very little about art, especially spanish art. I whave already recommended him to some of my friends there this semester and would encourage others to enroll in his courses. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
