Amazing experience Past Review
By Tess H (Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/19/2013 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned tons about myself and about other cultures. It was absolutely worthwhile and I wish I could go back!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were not incredibly hard but I learned a great deal, and it was interesting to take classes, particularly politics classes, from the Spanish perspective. Resources were a little harder to come by, as there are very few places to study at night in Granada. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of my program did a great job. The program was well run, with a nice and well-located abroad center, kind staff, interesting teachers, a well done orientation that adequately prepared me for any potential culture shock. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my home stay. My host mother was absolutely amazing and is like a second mother to me -- we still email constantly! She made me feel comfortable and at home from day one. |
| * Food: |
The food in Granada was fantastic! My host mother was an incredible cook and the tapas culture meant for cool variety of foods every night. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of the program I felt integrated but it took a great deal of time and personal effort to do so. It was very challenging to make real friends with locals and I spent a lot of time working to do so. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a |
| * Safety: |
I never felt particularly unsafe. As in any unfamiliar city, you should be smart and keep an eye on your belongings, but I never felt particularly threatened. |
| 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) |
Free tapas with any drink makes living easier, and Granada is not an expensive city, especially in terms of Europe. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably $50 to $75 per week. |
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? | Intermediate level spanish courses |
| 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? | Practice practice practice. Speak it as much and as often as possible--listen to spanish radio, find a friend to talk to, talk to yourself in your room, anything you can do use the language. |
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 had known how challenging it would be to take a university class, as that was challenging to schedule and to deal with because it was very far from my house and the instructors were reluctant about letting me in their classes |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
