Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Incredible Dream Past Review

By (Speech Language Pathology, Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/27/2012 to 05/27/2012 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I could answer this question in an essay. It was the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. I learned about myself, other people, different academic styles of learning, another language, 2 other cultures plus bits about other places speaking to ERASMUS students....

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My teachers were very talented individuals, well-educated, and well-trained in how to teach. I think there was a perfect balance of studying and hands-on experience. I definitely needed to work hard, but it not feel like a chore but instead a way to fall deeper in love with the country I was living in.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought IES did an incredible job with organizing events. At times I felt embarrassed speaking with the director, however, because my Spanish was so weak. I sometimes felt as though students who were more skilled at the language had a better or closer relationship with him.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mom, Josefina, could not have been better. I do not have a single complaint. I miss her so much it is difficult to even write about her. I am thankful to have had such a nurturing, open-minded person to guide me through my time living in another country.

* Food:

I was very fortunate that my host mother was an incredible cook, loved feeding her IES daughters, and loved to give us a variety of options so we could experience all her country has to offer.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were many opportunities to meet Spanish people, but because my Spanish was so weak at the beginning of the program it took me a lot of time. Casa de Porras was a wonderful program, but I wish we had had opportunities to meet more ERASMUS students before half way through the semester.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were no health issues.

* Safety:

I always felt very safe; I rarely went anywhere alone, and when I did, was always very aware of my surroundings, not drinking, or walking late at night.

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)

This question is difficult to answer. I wish I had kept a more detailed budget from the beginning. I spent 1800 dollars total, which included housing and travel costs during our 10 day spring break. If I traveled and went out less, I think I could have spent more around 30-40 a week. Unfortunately the euro-dollar rate is not very good right now, and things came up that I didn't expect.

* 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? Not sure.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Really keep track of where your money goes. Make sure to take out large amounts at a time at ATMs to avoid fees. Don't feel pressured to do everything and travel everywhere--- there are many free things to do in your home city!

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

All the teachers would speak Spanish with you.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? I technically had taken 2 semesters of Spanish but I had not really learned to "speak" mostly just to read.
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? Don't be ashamed; live in a homestay!!! Look over verb tenses and vocab you know you need to talk about things you love before you leave, that way you feel a little less lost.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My homestay
  • Spanish class and teacher
  • Morocco trip, bridging cultures together
* What could be improved?
  • Early connections to Spanish speaking international students
  • At times I felt the topics of Islam were taught to us as if all IES students were Christians. I really did not like this, because one of my best friends was Muslim and often felt excluded to the point where she wanted to go back to the US.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? When I spoke to the IES center in Chicago I was told it would be easy to change my classes on site. This was not the case.