Vida Granadina - Only the best! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload in Granada is significantly less than universities in the states (at least my university). I rarely had homework, and if I did, it was to write a 1 page paper, or complete a grammar worksheet. But, don't get me wrong, professors in Granada do expect a lot from you regardless of how little homework they give - there are still midterm and final exams, which are huge parts of your grade, as well as attendance and class participation. Grading system is on a 1 - 10 scale, 10 being the highest ("sobresaliente" or an A+), 1 being the lowest (F). You need a 5 to pass, which is a C, in order to receive credit at your home university. Professors in Granada are absolutely hilarious, and really do want you to do well. They always have funny stories, and want to hear about life in America, too! They are available for extra help, and really want you to learn the language as well. My classes were taught in spanish, so all my professors were really good about making the class comprehensible.

On-site administration of your program

I can't say a single bad thing about AIFS as a program. The administrators were extremely reliable and accessible, and amazing people all around! Paula has been living in Granada since she graduated college, and Inma is an original Granada local, so they're both extremely knowledgeable about Granada, what it has to offer, transportation, food, shopping, cultural experiences, etc. The program size was manageable, too, probably about 50 people, so you were able to find your friend niche, and at least know everyone's face. My expectations were certainly surpassed - they were extremely supportive, provided us with fun program activities (i.e. an end-of-the-semester flamenco dinner show) and took us on weekend trips to London, Madrid, and Seville.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The residencia I lived in could not have been in a better location. It was on a quieter street, but near everything you needed to be near - convenience stores, bakeries, grocery, bars, restaurants, gym, etc. Everything was provided for us, including beds/sheets, desks, closet, bathroom, night table, food, laundry, etc. All I had to buy in regards to accommodations was shampoo and conditioner! The residencia was about at 20 minute walk from the university, 25 if you wanted to take a slower stroll through some smaller roads.

Our food was cooked for us by a woman and she provided lunch and dinner. The food was fair, but she was very accommodating to my vegetarian diet. Food was plenty, I was never hungry! However, where we lived had some wonderful restaurants, too. Definitely try La Castellana, La Hacienda Plaza, Poe, and De Cuadros. They have some of the best tapas in Granada (which are free by the way when you order an alcoholic drink, soda, or bottle of water)! Also, if you're into organic food, Cafe Manila is absolutely delicious, and right near the university building. They're veggie burger is to die for!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

La Alhambra and el Generalife gardens, end of the semester flamenco dinner show, trip to Gibraltar, Seville, and Córdoba, hike up the mountains to Parque Invierno.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt very safe in Granada, and never experience any sort of personal danger. However, that doesn't mean that dangerous things don't happen. Make sure to be extremely aware of your surroundings and always walk in a group (especially late at night). Also, if I was sick, it was very easy to contact our program administrator and she made doctors appointments for us in which she (Paula), or Inma would accompany us (just incase there was going to be a language barrier). There were no major health issues in Granada, thus no vaccines were required.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I lived in a residencia (something like a dorm), where other Americans on AIFS Granada and spanish students lived. There were girls from Seville, Cádiz, and Algeciras (all southern Spain) and they really wanted to improve their english, and we wanted to improve our spanish (of course). So in conversations with them, they really helped us work on our conversation skills with locals. Also, professors are huge components of how you communicate in spanish, and intercambios, who are Granada students wanting to learn english. Not a lot of people in Granada speak english (waiters, store employees, professors, etc.) so it really forces you to use and get comfortable with the language. Also, if you're living in a homestay, the families usually do not speak english, so they're another huge language resource.

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• Dorm

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• Americans
• Local Students