A Wonderful Cultural and Language Awakening Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Students are only required to take 3 classes and have the option to take their electives in English. Through the strong suggestion of the CEA Granada Staff I choose to take 2 additional electives (totaling 5 classes) and took them all in Spanish. I was amazed that the workload was not overwhelming and that the classes were calibrated for the level of Spanish I had tested into. I was able to turn in all of my school work, receive excellent marks, and never had to pass up an evening with colleagues or friends because I had to study. On the contrary, the classes accelerated my listening and speaking abilities of the Spanish language.

On-site administration of your program

The staff was not only extremely knowledgeable about the city and campus they were friendly and helpful. I became great friends with the staff and they helped not only with courses but everything with where to find things in the city to why particular cultural customs are the way they are.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing arrangement was still located in the city about 15 minutes from the dead center of Granada. I enjoyed the city apartment and never felt like it was too far from the city such that it was a burden. The host mother washed laundry once a week, cooked 3 meals a day, and provided a private bedroom with a desk, bed, sheets, and a closet. The bathroom was shared but that was never an issue with the 3 of us the lived in the apartment. There was one other American student that lived in the house (also in the CEA program) and sometimes the host mother's son, Emilio, would spend the night. The host mother was an excellent cook, friendly, and great to practice Spanish with. Emilio, when he visited, was extremely rude and I notified the CEA staff of my displeasure when I left.

The food schedule was different than the American food schedule but only took adjusting. breakfast is small with either a fruit, yogurt, and/or bread. Lunch is extremely late at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and is a very large meal -- equivalent to a US dinner. Dinner is very late, 9 or 10. An 8pm dinner is considered early. The size of dinner is more like an American lunch followed by a dessert of yogurt and fruit. If you like sweets you'll need to get some cookies, chocolate, or your fancy at a supermarket or pastry shop. The selections there are amazing so sweet tooths need not be worried.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We took a weekend trip to Barcelona, a day trip to Malaga, and multiple day excursions around the city. I enjoyed them all and thought I got a good dead of traveling for the program price.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt like Granada was a very safe city even waking home alone at 3, 4, or 5 in the morning.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Take every opportunity you can to practice the language and don't be afraid that you will look foolish while speaking the foreign language. Everyone looks foolish yet nobody cares. People are flattered that you are trying to communicate with them in their language and will help you if you get stuck. Only speak spanish with the friends/students you hang out with. When you come across a situation where you don't know the vocabulary practice it, then go back and use it. Sign up for classes that push your language skills. I enrolled in a theater workshop where we did theater exercises and eventually preformed a short play at the end of the semester. I met many foreign students in the class and together we tried to communicate in our common language of Spanish.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family