Granada Stole My Heart Past Review

By Olivia Becker (California Lutheran University) - abroad from 01/27/2019 to 05/24/2019 with

AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was absolutely worthwhile! I learned so much about myself, the types of friends I gravitate toward and routines that I make when given a clean slate. I also learned a ton of Spanish!

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.	The classes were easier than I expected, which was good because professors recognized that we were there to travel and learn a new culture more than learn in a classroom.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The AIFS staff in Granada really set my program apart from other students I talked to. The staff learned all 60 of our names, did their best to get to know us personally, and went above and beyond to plan programs like casual futbol games for bonding.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Living with a host family really helped me build fluency in Spanish and adjust to the culture! They helped me figure out where to shop, where to travel, and what to do for fun in Granada. I still WhatsApp them sometimes and they told me I’m welcome to stay with them any time!
* Food:	The only reason you shouldn’t live with a host family is if you have strict dietary needs or like to cook your own food. However, I’m lactose intolerant and my host family was super accommodating; they even bought dairy-free cheese and cream so they could make me personal pizzas and fettuccine alfredo!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Taking classes in the CLM was a bubble of English learners, mostly from the U.S. I had to challenge myself to go to intercambios (language exchanges in bars around Granada) and be personable in public to meet friends from Spain, but it's possible!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	When I hurt my foot (tendinitis---bring supportive shoes for all the walking tours!), one of the staff members went to the doctor with me, which made it a lot less intimidating. AIFS travel and health insurance covered the doctor visit, too!
* Safety:	I never had a problem with safety. Granada is well-lit and because of Spain's nightlife culture, there were people out at all hours of the night. Do use good judgment and walk with other people as much as possible after dark. Also, beware that when you travel on the weekends, other cities may not be as safe! I learned to save my going out for Granada.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The support from the staff and all-inclusive payment plan really set AIFS apart from other programs!

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)	My credit card got eaten by an ATM at one point, so I would recommend bringing a backup card if you can. Food is pretty inexpensive, especially since tapas come free when you buy a drink in Granada bars!

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 loved that the AIFS staff talked to me in Spanish as much as possible, but switched to English if they saw that I was uncomfortable or didn't understand.
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 301 at CLU
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?	Go to intercambios! They're language exchanges in bars around Granada, and several bars like Lemon Rock do them once a week. My favorite was at La Granaina. Spanish people wanting to learn English come, and you spend some of your conversation talking in Spanish and some in English!

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 International Students
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 AIFS Staff: Noelia, Alberto, Edu, Cristina, and Noria My internship teaching English in a school Living with a host family!
* What could be improved?	Giving more information about the housing and detailed itinerary further before departure Offering classes integrated with Spanish students Reviewing/appealing placement test scores for everyone
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	In my placement test, I scored in the very high level 5 (out of 9) range, which I didn't realize until the end of the program. I wish I would have known at the beginning so I could have been moved to level 6 and challenged a little more throughout. However, I still learned a lot of Spanish by using it all day with my host family and in classes.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Internship
Course Department:	Education
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	I did an internship teaching English in a school there and it was a great practical experience that helped me integrate further into the culture!
Credit Transfer Issues:	It transferred back as both an English internship and a Spanish internship! The only thing to watch out for is how many credits; depending on your university's hour requirement for internships, it may be worth a different amount.