Super Bien! Past Review

By (Anthropology., Bennington College) - abroad from 01/11/2013 to 05/16/2013 with

Central College Abroad: Granada - University of Granada

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
People are basically the same everywhere even if customs are different. And if you are open to adapt, you can make friends and look at living in a new way.

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.

For beginners the classes rocked. Learned super fast but still had plenty of time to explore and have fun.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Anyone who is lucky enough to have Virginia should feel honored.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Got hospitalized once. It was a cinch to figure out. Hospital easy to find and access.

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can choose to spend what you want. If you want lots trips and fancy gifts it will cost, but tapas are cheap and discotecas can be free.

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? None
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? 1 level Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talk with your host parents, go to the store by yourself and don't spend all your time with your English speaking friends.

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

  • International Students
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?
  • Host Mom
  • The whole Central Abroad group
  • Profersor Alfonso
* What could be improved?
  • Intercambio
  • A few trips
  • Length- too short!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It was not going to be scary

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'