Study Abroad in Granada was the best experience of my life Past Review
By Zach B (Spanish & Animal Science, Kansas State University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Granada - Universidad de Granada
My time abroad has changed my perspective on life in general. I am much more aware of the world around me, when before I did not think much outside of the United States. I have developed a love for the Spanish language and culture. My experience abroad has made me a more confident and stronger person in a variety of situations that has carried over into my professional career here in the States. It was a great thing to put on a resume, as it shows you willingness to go above and beyond the everyday person!
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 |
The API office staff was great! They were always available to answer questions about classes or personal questions about your study abroad experience. They keep in contact with the students through emails and newletters at the university. The staff was punuctal will all trips and excursions that were taken. They were a huge part in why my experience was so great! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My Residencia was awesome! The staff was amazing, they cleaned and did the laundry for us and cooked amazing meals. The residencia allowed me to have my individual privacy by living alone in my room but still able to interact and have a great time with all the local Spanish students. Me and two other american students even joined their recreational soccer team! |
| * Food: |
Yes, if you had any special needs they met them |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our trip to Rome was Amazing! It was an amazing city and we had a lot of tours planned but at the same time enough free time to enough and experience the city on our own. In Spain they took us to bullfights and soccer games which were great too! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Granada is a safe city. You do need to watch your belongings when you are out in the street just because you are foregin, but compared to the bigger European cities I felt very safe in Granada walking on the streets by myself at night and anytime of the day! |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used my Spanish in school classes, the Spanish students in my residencia and with the American students I studied with. I spoke Spanish everyday while I was there, in Granada you could get around if you did not want to speak Spanish but I used it all of the time interacting with the locals. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | GO ABROAD TO GRANADA!!!!!!!!! It is a beautiful city with so much to offer from the Sierra Nevadas, La Alhambra, tapas and strong culture! The people that I might in Granada are amazing and I still have great Spanish friends from there that I keep in contact with regularly. |
