Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great academy for Arabic study outside of the Arab world Past Review

By (Carroll College) - abroad from 10/12/2017 to 06/21/2017 with

Dar Loughat School: Granada - Arabic Studies and Linguistic Immersion in Andalusia, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had the ability to take classes starting from nothing and in the end I had learned some basic vocabulary and how to conjugate in the present and future tenses. Because I was only able to take classes one day a week, I didn't advance a ton, but felt that the education I received was commendable.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I studied Arabic one day a week at Dar Loughat, starting from no prior knowledge of the language. I did a month long intensive course to learn the alphabet, then switched to the Moroccan dialect class. I have loved my classes with Hind, feeling like she has not only taught us grammar but aspects of Moroccan culture as well. Highly recommended!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Nizar, the school's director, makes himself very available to his students. He cares that we receive a quality Arabic education and that we are involved with the school outside of classes.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

N/A

* Food:

N/A

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

N/A

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

Granada is a very safe city. In fact, I feel much safer here than in my hometown. You can walk everywhere, most places are well-lit, and rarely do you hear of big crimes.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Dar Loughat is a great academy if you are interested in beginning to learn Arabic but don't want to learn in the Arab world. I was living in Granada when I began learning and started with an intensive month of learning the Arabic alphabet.

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)

Granada is, in my opinion, one of the cheapest places you could study abroad in western Europe. Rent and food are both very affordable.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 75€

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Beginner Moroccan Darija
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The teachers
  • The events
  • Class size
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How hard it is to learn Arabic, but also how rewarding and exciting it is!

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.'