Study Abroad in Spain Past Review
By Ann S (News and Internet Journalism, Drake University) for
AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program
It was definitely worthwhile. My perspectives have opened up in so many ways. Returning home now has showed me just how much I've grown up and learned; I see very few things the same as I did when I left. The world is a BIG place, and I feel so lucky and educated to have seen so many new parts of it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Much more weight is placed on the exams and homework is almost non existent. In a lot of ways, I found the classes easier, but come exam time I still had to study about as much I did for exams back in the US. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our directors were very accessible and got to know us all personally. I had to visit the ER while I was in Spain. What could have a been a terrifying and confusing experience was okay because Paula and Inma were so helpful and sweet. They were also there for whatever we needed, whether it was to talk about our host families, classes, homework or just hang out. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and loved it. It takes a little bit of getting used to because we didn't speak any of the same language, but that was part of the fun. The best part is how close we ended up getting and how I can look back now and realize that we got to know each other in an entirely different language! I plan on writing them and keeping in touch. We lived on Camino de Ronda, so pretty central. I had about a 20 minute walk to school every morning, and was about 10 minutes away from Calle Recogidas, a main shopping area. The neighborhood is under a lot of construction right now because they're putting in the metro, but was clean and friendly. <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
My host mom could cook! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For someone who had never been outside the country before, I really enjoyed the ease of travel in Europe. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Allergies in Granada got really bad for a lot of us during the springtime, but other than that, there weren't very many huge issues. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Unfortunately, you probably need more than you think you do. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Living with a host family that didn't speak any English was a little frustrating at first, but ended up being one of the best elements of my semester abroad. With just a little patience and and effort, I fostered a really close relationship with my host mom and sister in a completely different language. It was a great feeling and something I encourage everyone to attempt. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Put yourself out there. Get more out of the experience by getting out of your bubble and interacting with natives, not just a select few other Americans. Think of cultural variations as "different" instead of "weird" or "wrong." |
