The Best 5 Months of my Life Past Review

By (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I changed as a person into a more independent and smarter person

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site CEA staff in Granada was amazing. Begonia, Dani, Loly, Jorge and Juan were phenomenal!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with Carmen was one of the best parts of my whole study abroad experience.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Always actively going to the festivals and holidays really helped me to see Spanish culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe once in Granada.

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)

Saving money was very hard.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $200

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? LAN 213.15
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? Find an intercambio and actively speak Spanish with everyone

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living with my host family
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To save more money before going