Everything about my program was perfect Past Review

By (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) - abroad from 09/05/2016 to 12/21/2016 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
In addition to a massive improvement in my Spanish, I gained incredible friends, a sense that I have a second home in Granada (in the city and with my host family), and an incredible exposure to new cultures, new people, and new perspectives. It was unquestionably worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Every single aspect of my time in Granada - my homestay, the program administration, the friends I made, the city itself - was amazing. The small program size was perfect for meeting life-long friends and getting to know the staff.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than 50 euros (not including travel)

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

4 out of the 5 classes I took were in Spanish, and I never spoke English at my homestay.

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? SPAN344
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? Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Just speak it as much as you can and soon it will become second nature.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The city of Granada
  • The people in my program
  • My homestay
* What could be improved?
  • Course rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I didn't need to worry so much. All of the things I was the most worried about - making friends, liking my host family, and liking the city of Granada - each ended up being the things that were the easiest when I got there.