Good experience, great cultural immersion, stifled language immersion. Past Review
By John W (Nursing & Spanish, Valparaiso University) for
Central College Abroad: Granada - University of Granada
It was fantastic except for the lack of accessible Spaniards.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There needs to be a little more effort put into homework levels. There were extreme differences between classes and their difficulties. Most classes have little to no homework and semi challenging tests. I would have learned a lot more if I had just had some simple homework sheets to practice grammar. Note that I was in the "Lengua Y Cultura" program, not the intensive language program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very strong, excellent leadership. However, if you neglect the advice or emails of the director she will get mad at you and you could have problems. If you're kind and respond to email and show up to appointments, you will receive a lot of support and help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Excellent housing situation. Everything was provided for me. All meals were prepared for me. My host mother even did my laundry for me every week. Very nice and kind family. Their adult sons came home for lunch with us almost every day. |
| * Food: |
Some strange meals but always had enough food, if not too much. Loved the olive oil. Searching for good food out is really easy. Calle Elvira and Plaza de la Trinidad are two great places for tapas. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Travel! Take long bus rides! Go to Morocco! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | About $125, that's on the low end. Includes travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Living is cheap, travel is not. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 (literature courses, past basic grammar but not into advanced literature) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
In "intercambios," with professors, directors, friends at church, classmates, and host family. Always used Spanish in everyday interactions. Not many Spaniards speak English, but ALL of your classmates do. That was the most difficult part. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Plan out where you want to travel to and how much it will cost BEFORE you arrive in Spain |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Islamic Culture |
| Course Department: | No idea |
| Instructor: | Aurelio Rios |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Excellent course. Prof brings the content to life. Really enjoyed myself in a topic I didn't really think I would enjoy. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not yet... haven't gotten grades back yet, takes 2.5 months |
