Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

If I had the money to study abroad again, I'd be on the next plane to Granada. Past Review

By (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/03/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more than I can explain. A new life was opened up to me, and now I miss it and wish I could've lived it a little longer. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Just at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My education abroad was based on how much time I spent actually speaking the native language with my host family/friends from the city I was studying in. The classes were not very challenging, but I'm grateful for that because we had more time to travel and use our own determination to learn the language.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I miss my host family more than anything. They were amazing, and I wouldn't change a thing about my experience with them.

* Food:

I LOVED the food, especially the homemade paella from my host mom :)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's easy to go shopping and dress like a Spaniard. Actually making an effort to speak the language and feel comfortable in your own skin is a lot harder!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick a couple times, and the only time I needed to go to the doctor, I received antibiotics right away and felt great in a few days.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in my house and neighborhood.. even walking to/from school. It goes without being said that you need to be careful walking around late at night, so that's the only time I was scared to be alone.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

I don't really know how to answer this, but I paid for everything on my own and made my money last the whole 5 months!

* 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? $200.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay in hostels, shop at supermarkets when traveling, and eat at home as much as possible.

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 very much up to ourselves!

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 243.15
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? Talk with your family and make lots of Spanish friends!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • My host family and being able to speak the language I love.
* What could be improved?
  • I wish we could've taken classes with local students instead of Americans. I spoke too much English.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I was going to be taking classes with only Americans, I was going to live with a whole family instead of just a host mom, it was going to be cold when I got there and SO HOT when I left.