Best 4.5 months ever Past Review
By A student (Oregon State University) - abroad from 08/21/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Granada - Universidad de Granada
I learned about so many different cultures, my Spanish language skills improved tremendously, and I became more independent. The entire experience was very worthwhile.
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. |
Classes were great and the teachers are aware that students study abroad and travel around as well so they do not give out too much homework |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best experience living with my host family. I'm still not sure how I got so lucky getting paired with my host mom!! Great food, great location, and amazing family. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an amazing cook so we often got extravagant and very healthy meals everyday. The restaurants nearby and all around the city were great as well. Tapas are free also! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family allowed me to integrate more than others but it also just depended on how much you decided to get involved as well. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was very nervous to go to the doctor at all while I was there so I tried to stay as healthy as I could. I brought my own cold medication from the U.S. but when I ran out, the pharmacies (which are around every corner) were very easy to navigate and much cheaper than the U.S. My last week I had a very bad asthma attack and had to call my program director. She was amazing and went with me to urgent care and translated everything for me and made sure I was comfortable the whole time. I realized that I had been scared for no reason and that the Spanish healthcare system was great and the medication I was given worked instantly. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe the entire time I was in Granada. I was very aware when walking around at all times of the day and always knew where my wallet and phone were. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
API had the best host families, the best program excursions, lots of opportunities to get involved in the culture, and the BEST program directors. I loved my program directors so much, they were so sweet and really made an effort to be our "Spanish moms". I would go back to Granada with API again, in a heart beat! |
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) |
Living with a host family forced me to not spend too much money on food and allowed me to save during the week and spend on my weekend trips. I didn't realize until I got there that Granada, in comparison to most other cities in Spain, was one of the cheapest places I could have picked. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | If I stayed in Granada for the entire week, I spent about $75 in one week. Look into how expensive the cities you plan on traveling to are. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and decide on a few must see places you want to go to while abroad, set aside money for those, and then try and save up at least $1,000 |
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 |
It was highly encouraged to speak in Spanish almost all of the time. |
| 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? | 300 level Spanish grammar |
| 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? | Attend intercambios!!! (language exchanges with Spanish speakers and English speakers). If you're with a host family, take the time to talk with them at meals and whenever else. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The month intensive for the fall semester is awesome and well worth it! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
