Living in Granada Past Review

By (Dancer, Colorado College) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/18/2014 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was life changing. I feel more like an adult and I feel more comfortable with who I am. I learned tons about flamenco and this experience has influenced my life greatly for the better.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful teachers and faculty.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

IES matched students with compatible host parents. I loved my host mom who cooked gluten free food for me and became my dear friend.

* Food:

Great, my host mother was an amazing cook, and I'm gluten free and I was sooo happy!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Even though I took classes with other american students, after class I felt very integrated in the culture. I worked in an internship in a local dance studio, lived with a host mother, and was always taking flamenco and other dance classes with other spaniards. I felt like I spent time with american students and the local granadinos.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Great, I actually fell and hurt my back on the stairs and IES helped me find a local physical therapist. After the first visit my back felt back to normal.

* Safety:

I felt safe. I often saw children, the elderly and the blind walk the streets quite late at night getting ice cream.

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)

Granada for food is very affordable. The grocery stores are also pretty cheap. A lot of my money went towards dance classes because I'm a dance major.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food 25 euros a week and dance 100 euros a month
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Apply for every scholarship you can and speak with your financial aid office.

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

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? Spanish 201
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? Speak spanish always, even with your american friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Flamenco History and Performance class
  • Internship
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • More opportunities to meet local spanish youth
  • Opportunities to learn about the economy, immigration etc in Granada
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I wouldn't have worried so much before because I didn't need to pack so much. It was a safe and comfortable city and I was really content with the life style.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!