Experience in Granada, Spain (I don't want to ever leave Granada!/Awesome host family) Past Review
By Laurel A (Broadcast Journalism, Illinois State University) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain
I became much more independent while studying abroad. Even if i wanted my parents to help me out with something, they couldn't because they dont speak Spanish. I learned so much about other cultures. Not just Spain's either! I met people every week from around the world.
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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. |
The American educational system is more about tests. Almost every test i take in America is opscan, while every test i took in Spain was short answer. Also participation in Spain was mandatory, where it is not as possible in America because of the lecture halls. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I feel as though my program didnt offer as much as other programs. They only provided meals twice a day, and our days would sometimes start at 830am. A lot of the time when we had events in the city I studied abroad in, they would provide transportation there then we had to find our way back or walk back. However the staff was always kind and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At first i was placed very very far away from the university and all the other students. I was a 45 minute walk to class, and if I decided to go out at night was forced to take a taxi (for my safety) and it proved to be very expensive. I requested a change and was told I couldn't be moved for another 3 weeks. However, when my parents called they took them more seriously than me. I was moved the next day to a much more sensible location. The move from my first host family to the second was very stressful. My host mother made me leave her house an hour before my new host family was ready for me. I told her i couldnt move in until after 6pm and at 445 she was wheeling my suitcase into the elevator and had a taxi waiting outside. Thankfully, my next host family was nothing like her. My host family now treats me like their daughter, and actually care for me. It was an incredible experience and I know I'm going to miss my host mom and dad so much when I return to the States. |
| * Food: |
I think my host mom was trying to make me fat! :P |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program organized a Flamenco show, which is really a core aspect of Spanish culture. It was an incredible experience. We also got a tour of a bullfighting ring which was really interesting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I feel that Granada is safer than my university at home. There are the occasional bad or perverted people that may try to say something to you, but if youre smart it shouldnt be a problem. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Depends on the week. Some weeks i wouldnt spend any money because i would eat every meal at home. During the month of February Spain has a lot of sales, so I spent more money that month on clothes and shoes. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | i never realized how expensive transportation was until i traveled. It's not just the plane ticket when you're traveling to another country. Its the taxi to get to the airport, the taxi or bus to your hotel, then the metro or bus system to get around the city. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | LAN 213 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most of the country does not speak English. I watched TV in Spanish to improve my skills, and i lived with a host family that didn't speak any english either. A host family was an incredible experience and forced me to practice Spanish every day. I highly recommend a host family. |
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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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? | A student who is open minded and who isn't scared of trying new things would benefit from this program. Granada, Spain has an incredible night life and plenty to do. |
