No pasa nada - it means no worries in Spanish Past Review
By A student (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 06/06/2012 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
More than I can say in this box. One gain is my Spanish language level, which has improved significantly. On another level, my eyes were opened to so many different cultures (from traveling, which I also did around the country and to Morocco), I made a bunch of great friends, and learned how to live a little more independently. I think it was a hugely important, life-changing experience for me.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Granada IES Abroad Center |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses were interesting, but not very intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The only problem I had was with the academic advisor, who did not very help much at all with my integration into the local university. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
TAPAS ARE THE BEST. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If I didn't integrate more, it was mostly my own fault. Plenty of opportunities to meet and become friends with Spanish people, though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Had no real experience with this. |
| * Safety: |
Always felt very safe in Granada. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Museum free days are great. Tapas in Granada come free with drinks, even non-alcoholic ones. If you want to shop, check out Rebajas, which is basically their big sales season that happens in January and February. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
My Spanish improved SO much in Granada. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SP203 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make Spanish friends, and speak Spanish with them! It will be difficult to get other American students to speak Spanish with you outside of class. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There will be difficult moments that come up––they do for everyone. Just know that you're not alone and they will pass. |
