Spain in Real Life Past Review
By Kayla M (Sociology and Anthropology., University of Redlands) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/19/2013 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
To be honest I learned a lot more about myself and the kind of life I'd like to lead in the future as well as what I might potentially like to do in the future. It was entirely worthwhile and I would do again in a heartbeat, like right now, put me on a plane back, I miss it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
If you have never learned or spoken Spanish this program is still feasible. If you have some experience with the language it is more beneficial and the classes in general in Europe are lot more rigorous than those in the US. Be prepared for anything and always consider your abilities when choosing classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff is really great, they're supportive and very helpful They are almost always available to talk to and really appreciate feedback from students since they are still a young program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a unique opportunity to enjoy both the home stay lifestyle and the residence hall lifestyle. Both have many positive qualities and a few not so positive qualities. Read through the brochure information very thoroughly. If someone needs any type of food accommodations they have to live in a home stay, but the host families are really great and the mediterranean diet is very accommodating as well. |
| * Food: |
It can be really surprising at first, but the different flavors and lack of American comfort foods and junk foods grows on you. It is a diet mainly consistent of seafood, so if you do not like seafood, I would not recommend you living here. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt really immersed in the culture, but not until the very end of my stay. It takes me some time to get comfortable with my surroundings, but being that Granada is college city it is easy to feel at home and a part of the social life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the dentist several times because I have braces and it was really easy and affordable to do that, more so than US accommodations. |
| * Safety: |
Obviously there are pickpocketers and the like, but nothing to major is of great threat in this city. It is pretty safe and not too many unsafe things occurred during my time there. |
| 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) |
I had to save up a lot of money in order to live in this city and set very strict budgets to stay within. I did not get prior information that there would be days that the residence hall would not be open account of strikes and holidays which left me without meal options besides paying for food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 25 euros or 30 US Dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you know you are going to stay for a set amount of time set aside a certain amount of money of monthly expenses and if you would like to travel, keep that in a separate savings area so that you are not dipping into the funds for regular living. And definitely keep a set of cushion money for any unforeseeable accidents. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 300 level language course at my college. |
| 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? | Just speak it. Read books in Spanish, write things in Spanish, keep it consistent and always practice with native speakers. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, the spaniards will correct you, in a nice way. |
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? | Living in the residence hall costs a lot more, I had to buy my own toilet paper, soap, and a groceries pretty regularly. I had spent a lot of extra money that I really did not account for. I did not know that I would have class mainly with Americans, but I guess I adapted. And the distance to things, although not very strenuous can get tiring, things are relatively far apart. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
