Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

You can have fun and learn a lot by travelling. Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Salem State College) - abroad from 08/28/2012 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'm going back to Spain for a gap year before law school....I can't get enough. I'll let the reader of this survey deduce if this experience is awesome or not....

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This is the best program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Curra is the director of the Granada program, and Lydia is her assistant. They are so good!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mom is the best ever.

* Food:

My host mom used to cook for the duke of Spain. Cha-ching!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Make sure to stay away from your American friends/party buddies. Do the intercambios!!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Make sure you know the language if you are to get ill. The "English-speaking doctor" knows little English.

* Safety:

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)

If you are like me and want to go away every weekend to another country, you will blow a lot of money. It is 100% worth it though.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? maybe 100....drinks, clothes
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go to Ibiza.

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

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? level 6 (the highest being 8)
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? Meet Spaniards.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • staff was great
  • living was great
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wouldn't take back anything....even the stuff I could hypothetically go back and change.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spanish Civilization & Culture
Course Department:
Instructor: Christina Vara-Oton
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: She is so nice and the class is so interesting. This is the class that all the API professors suggest as an elective.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues with transferring credits. However, I did take a class that was supposed to count as an English elective, and they lost the course substitution form that I had filled out prior to leaving.