No Pasa Nada Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/26/2016 to 05/22/2016 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I gained an innumerable amount of self-love and self-awareness, as well as many friends and experiences that I can never recreate in their entirety because they are so precious to my time here.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I feel like this program met the academic rigorousness of my home institution and did so in a way that allowed culture to be properly integrated into all curriculum. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the staff and administration at my program were beyond wonderful and attentive to my needs as an individual and a student. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My homestay was one of the best parts of my study abroad experience as far as cultural immersion and more immersion and familiarity with the Spanish language. |
| * Food: |
The food in Spain was a bit different than what I was used to as far as the variety in flavors, yet I was able to try many new foods and was glad to do so. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My intercambio and internship in Granada helped me feel largely integrated into the Spanish culture, coupled with my program members and administration I was happy to call myself Granadino. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My experience with healthcare was all very possible and accessible. The insurance provided through the program was outstanding. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment in Granada that I felt unsafe. For future students I simply recommend the same precautions as traveling anywhere: Don't stay out too late or walk alone with earphones in, and always be aware of your surroundings. However, all in all, the city itself seemed like a very safe, comfortable place to be in. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad with the IES Abroad Granada program was perfect for me because I was able to work with amazing, dedicated staff, in a small and comfortable enough, familiar city environment that allowed me to integrate myself into a new culture and language and fall in love with it. |
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) |
3.5 |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $3000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as possible and consider taking out cash before arriving to your country abroad. Also consider using a credit card to avoid the fees accompanied with debit card withdrawals. |
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? | HISP 32A INTER.SPANISH:CONVERSTN |
| 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? | Speaking with the people of the city and interacting with children really helps. |
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? | I wish I knew that Granada was not going to be as warm as I expected it to be in February and March |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
