Learning the no pasa nada life and falling in love with Granada Past Review
By Catherine B (Whitman College) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned how to be confident in my Spanish, about a totally new culture, and how to see the world with new eyes. Living my entire life in America gave me a narrow perspective on the world and now I feel like I understand people, culture, and the world better. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors were passionate and involved. Classes were interesting but pretty easy in comparison to the rigor of my university. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very friendly and helpful |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best host mom in the world and two amazing host brothers. I could not have asked for a better host family. |
* Food: |
Spanish food is delicious. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never needed health care but was insured just in case. I did have a friend who fractured his ankle and he was very well taken care of. |
* Safety: |
Granada is a very safe city. Even at 3 am walking home by myself I felt completely safe. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Shopping was tempting but in Granada you get a free tapa with every drink so dinner usually cost 3 euro or less, about $5. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40-$50 |
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 |
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How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 306 |
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 avoid using English. Speaking in Spanish is really fun and exciting when you get good at it. I spoke Spanish as much as possible and improved greatly. |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Truthfully, I think I wish I would have known that I didn't need to worry. That I picked the perfect city and program for myself and that I was going to make amazing memories. Studying abroad is an incredible gift and there is no need to be nervous or anxious about 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 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. |