Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most challenging and fulfilling four months of my life Past Review

By (Psychology/Spanish, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

API (Academic Programs International): Granada - Universidad de Granada

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned quite a bit about myself and what I want out of life. I learned a lot about cultural perspectives and how being American impacts my personal views on global topics. This was an extremely worthwhile experience.

Review Photos

API (Academic Programs International): Granada - University of Granada Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses I had were challenging but didn't require too much outside work so I was still able to have a good time. The professors were helpful but did not have "office hours".

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were extremely caring and helpful to all of the students. They would go out of their way to check in with us if they found out we were ill or struggling with something. I was thoroughly impressed with their attentiveness and level of caring for all of us!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host mother and she was absolutely wonderful! She really took time to get to know my roommate and I and even took care of us when we were sick. She also was a great asset in learning the language. The location of her apartment was close to the university and the city center.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

API offered us a few different opportunities to get involved in the community and meet people from Granada. But the best way to meet people was just by going out and talking to people in bars or restaurants. As far as becoming integrated with the local culture it is difficult to do since API has all American students so it requires some effort.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt safe walking around Granada, but I was also always smart. My friends and I would all meet at a central point before going out and when we were going home we would walk in groups and then check in to make sure everyone got home alright. I'm not aware of any major safety issues people had while in Granada.

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)

Granada isn't a very expensive city to live in. You could easily control how much you spent a week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take a limited amount of money with you when you go out at night and don't bring your credit card. That way when the money is all spent you won't be tempted to go get more.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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 city itself
  • The API onsite staff were amazing
  • I got the chance to travel to other cities
* What could be improved?
  • I can't think of anything I would change
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is difficult to meet Spaniards unless you really make an effort to do it. Don't always go out with big groups of Americans.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!