Granada: My Home Away from Home Past Review
By Liza P (Psychology, DePauw University) for
Central College Abroad: Granada - University of Granada
YES. I learned a lot about Spain, but more importantly, about myself. On my flight back to America, I truly felt like a different person than the girl I was on the plane 4 months earlier headed to Spain.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Granada |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Granada felt very safe to me. There was never a time when I felt scared or uncomfortable in a situation in Granada. Common sense is important, but overall there were no safety incidents that I experienced. I got very sick in Morocco and doctors had to come to the house I was staying at. It turned out I needed a few shots and antibiotics, and I was very well taken care of. The doctors were approved by the American Embassy. This was the only health issue I experienced, and I was really impressed with how well I was cared for. |
| 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? | Per week : 30 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go shopping everyday just because there are hundreds of great stores around you at all times! I suggest living with a host family so that you won't have to worry about the daily cost of food and drink. Always make sure you have a base amount of money in your account because you never know when you will miss a flight or bus and have to buy another ticker on the spot. Leave room for little mishaps like that. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 Level |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice with my Professors, classmates, roommates, host family, and any local I met. Most people did not speak any English, so I was able to use Spanish in my everyday interactions. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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? | Absolutely anyone can benefit from this program. Going abroad is something that will change you forever. You will learn endless life lessons that you simply can't learn at home. IF you are wavering back and forth deciding whether or not to study abroad, take the leap! You won't regret it if you go, but if you don't, you will always wonder what could have been. |
