Granada: The best city ever! Past Review
By Stacy S (International Business/Marketing, Bryant University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Granada - Universidad de Granada
I LOVE STUDY ABROAD! I had the most amazing time, and everyone who goes abroad will probably say this, but I was able to meet so many new people and have the craziest experiences. You learn so much about yourself as well as what you are able to do on your own when you don't know anyone or the language. You are able to develop skills that will stick with you for a life time, I encourage EVERYONE to go abroad.
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 |
Very helpful and willing to help out with anything you need. I was confused about how grading transferred and they were knowledgeable about it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i was provided with sheets and towels so I didn't need to buy anything like that but the residencia I stayed in was family owned and smaller. The building was also older and there were plumbing issues and things were not kept up the way they should have been. But I did get to practice my Spanish alot. |
| * Food: |
The food was really bad as in not healthy and very cheap (sliced ham and cheese stacked and then fried). Not enough variety and there was almost no fruits or vegetables ever offered. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program took us to Paris, as well as many local weekend excursions and we were able to experience different parts of the country that we may not have known to go to on our own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My city was very safe but we were always told to be aware since it was a city. I had to go to the hospital one time during a time when the office was not opened and my program director brought me to the hospital within the hour that i called her. |
| 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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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? |
if you go to Spain and want to learn Spanish, definitely do not just stick to going out with all Americans. Going out in a huge group makes you a target and it also makes it hard for Spaniards to come up and interact with you. |
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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Definitely make the decision on your own terms, do not go somewhere just because your friend is going. Figure out what you want most out of your experience and go to a place that will allow you to do that. If you are going somewhere that you do not speak the language, get out and meet people from your city. My program set up group exchanges and we were able to meet tons of people and make contacts to continue meeting. It was a great way to practice and meet so many new friends. |
