Granada, an unforgettable experience. Past Review
By Joseph K (Marketing., Trinity University) - abroad from 05/27/2013 to 07/31/2013 with
API (Academic Programs International): Madrid - Suffolk University
I greatly increased my speaking abilities, learned more about the Spanish culture than I ever thought I would, and learned more about myself than anything else. It was definitely worthwhile, I would go back in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Content of classes varied greatly depending on the professor, and some professors were vastly more enthusiastic about teaching than others, but overall it was a very enjoyable academic experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Always willing to help, and constantly keeping in touch. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
3 home cooked, free meals a day in the host home, every single one was delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had an unbelievable number of opportunities to spend time in the city immersing ourselves in the culture and becoming one of the locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not get sick abroad, I had no experiences with the healthcare system. I did not have to get any special vaccinations before going abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Granada was incredibly safe, I never felt uncomfortable anywhere in the city at any time of day or night. Just use your instincts and good judgement and you'll be fine. |
| 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) |
I spent less than $50 a week on personal expenses, not counting travel, and I was perfectly comfortable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you have meals provided, take advantage of that. It's great bonding time with your host family, and a no-pressure environment for practicing the language. Plus, eating out every day adds up fast. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
It required that I use the language all day, every day. The only I spoke English abroad was when I was only with my group. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish 3 |
| 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? | Go out into the city, take advantage of opportunities to meet locals, and get to know them as much as possible. If haggling is acceptable in stores, haggle. It's a great way to practice the language in a higher pressure situation, even if you don't mind the price. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Nothing that I didn't learn during our orientation period, I was given perfect, comprehensive advice, and it carried me throughout my 2 months. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
