Can't Beat The Beauty in Granada Past Review
By Lucas B (Economics., Macalester College) - abroad from 09/03/2013 to 12/19/2013 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned what I am capable of, that I can speak Spanish pretty well, that I can live by myself and thrive in a place where I didn't know anybody on day 1.
Review Photos
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. |
The classes were all very interesting and fun. The professors were all nice and liked being with us in the classroom. The classes I took were not particularly challenging, but future students can tailor that to their desires with the option of taking courses at the local university available as well. |
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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? |
The homestay was great! |
| * Food: |
It met all my needs, but didn't match up to the delicious foods I had in Rome or Paris. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I played futbol every Wednesday with Spaniards, had an intercambio I hung out with at least once a week, and joined some classes at the local student center. I felt very integrated with the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
I found the city to be very safe, however there were a couple incidents that happened late at night to students who had been drinking. |
| 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) |
Nothing was too expensive in Granada, except for the discotecas. You'd have to go out for tapas every single night to get anywhere close to $100/week for food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries so you don't have to go out for dinner every single night. |
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 |
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| 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 class |
| 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? | Try to speak Spanish even with your American friends, even if it just turns into Spanglish |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | I wish I knew how to be as adventurous as I was at the end of the program as at the beginning of it. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Imagining Andalusia |
| Course Department: | Literature |
| Instructor: | Carolina Castillo Ferrer |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | There was a decent amount of reading for this course accompanied by writing exercises. I learned a ton about the history of the culture in southern Spain through the coursework. Carolina is very knowledgeable and I always looked forward to class with her. I participated more often than I do in almost all my classes at home because many time the class took the form of a class discussion. I was assessed through papers and exams mostly. One of the coolest parts about the trip were the group projects about a culturally significant site within the cities. 8 different times throughout the semester we would have class at one of these places and listen to a presentation, followed by normal class activity. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
