An experience of a lifetime Past Review
By Casey B (Neurobiology, Neurosciences, University of Rochester) - abroad from 09/02/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
Being abroad helped me learn who I am. In Granada I did not have the daily life stress that I experience at my home university, so I had time to think, time to explore, and most importantly time to enjoy Spain and Granada. I learned how to be a better person, how to better connect with people, and what my true passions in life are.
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. |
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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? |
I loved my host family. Each day I would come home to a warm home cooked lunch and lovely conversation. I couldn't have asked for a more friendly or warmer family to be a part of while I was in Granada. |
| * Food: |
The food was incredible everywhere. As a vegetarian I was told before I left for Granada that I would have a hard time staying vegetarian in Spain. This, however, was not true at all I found. I had no problem finding vegetarian food at all the tapas bars and restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of four months, I felt like I knew Granada better than I know my own city in the United States. I was able to communicate fully in Spanish, find my way around no problem, and know all the secrets of Granada culture. By the end of my time in Granada I even had tourists come up to me for directions! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I remember one week I was very sick, yet being the student that I was still went to my classes. My Spanish professor noticed I wasn't looking too good and brought me up to the program head, Javier. Javier quickly led me to another program assistant who took me to the doctors. She even went into the room with me with the doctor because I was not completely comfortable with my medical Spanish. I felt completely cared for by IES which made my experience of being sick abroad a little better. |
| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe in the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
In a heartbeat I would study abroad in Granada again. I made so many incredible friends, improved upon my language skills exponentially, and had daily adventures that I will never forget. |
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) |
Granada was a very cheap place to live. My host family provided me with breakfast and lunch, so all I had to buy for myself was dinner, which really meant just a drink because tapas come free in Granada! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 15-20 euro |
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? | Advanced Spanish Composition (SP 200) |
| 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? | Never be afraid to try speaking! Even if you are worried you will sound silly or say something wrong, you won't. I found everyone in Granada to be extremely accommodating of my Spanish and my host family would always help me out. |
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 to bring a coat with me. I didn't think it would get cold in Granada, but by mid-November I had to go shopping for a coat! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
