Get yourself to Granada! Past Review
By A student (Grinnell College) - abroad from 01/27/2015 to 05/22/2015 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned so much about myself, other people, and the world on this program. Reflecting on my semester, I know I left Granada truly different than when I came. I also improved my Spanish and met some really wonderful people. It was absolutely worthwhile and I wish I could go back again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Easy classes but the program is definitely backloaded so expect a fair amount of work at the end. Flamenco and Islamic Civilization were both wonderful. The professors are all nice and helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are all great! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
IES did a great job matching my roommate and I with a wonderful host mom. |
| * Food: |
It's definitely possible to be a vegetarian in Spain. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Mostly just hung out with Americans but that was partially my own choice because I never met my intercambio. IES had plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture but Spanish people are also not always warm to foreigners. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any problems but the pharmacies in Spain are great. |
| * Safety: |
Always felt safe. There was one minor incident but it was an outlier during my time abroad. |
| 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 spent about $70 a week on food, toiletries and other random things. Granada is cheap! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat a little bit of food before going out for tapas so you don't have to order a lot in order to be full. Mercadona is a great place to buy groceries. |
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? | 343 The Art of Language |
| 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 talk with your IES friends in Spanish. Also many bars have language intercambios that you can check out. |
Other Program Information
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* 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? | You're Only In Granada Once |
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. |
