These last four months weren't just a vacation, they were real life. Past Review
By Danica M (Finance and Financial Management Services., Tulane University) for
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
It was more than I could have ever expected and can't even be explained in words. I only feel extreme gratitude for being able to experience what I was able to experience in Spain and everywhere I was able to go.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Granada |
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was amazingly helpful in every way. They had an answer for every question and helped us with things even before we knew we would need help. The program size was perfect; not too big and not too small. The staff was incredible, I couldn't have expected or hoped for anything better. They had extensive knowledge of Granada as well as of what schools we were coming from and what their requirements were. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My neighborhood was very safe. Close to class (15 minute walk), and close to nightlife as well. I was provided with everything I needed. I was treated as a family member from the moment I entered the door for the first time, but I was also given the independence I needed as an American college student. |
| * Food: |
Lunch was huge and delicious everyday. She always took into consideration what we liked to eat and catered toward that. For dinner, I recommend good tapas bars like Poe, Chantarella, Avila, La Belle y La Bestia or La Fontana. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the field trips were amazing. Cabo de Gato was spectacular. Sevilla/Ronda were amazing. Cadiz was beautiful. Morocco was an experience I will never forgot, and something I am so happy that I experienced. A true intellectually enlightening experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were some muggings, but not in my neighborhood. As long as you walk in groups or take cabs, there should be no problems at all. I did not use healthcare while in Spain. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 dollars per week approximately (at minimum). Plus on top of that traveling expenses. The 100 includes dinner every day (tapas/drinks/groceries), costs for going to bars/discotecas at night, bus fare, miscellaneous necessities. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Dinner every night out gets expensive - find a grocery store quickly and start using it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 304 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Homestay family, Professors, American students, Spanish students, everyone in the city (not a lot spoke English well), Program staff. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It is more amazing than you could even imagine. If you're considering it, do it. It's perfect. Granada is an amazing city that is perfectly situated in Andalucia, and small enough that public transportation is almost completely unnecessary, although big enough that it feels like a city. Nightlife is fantastic. Taking classes all in Spanish improves your language skills in ways that you thought weren't even close to possible. Highly recommended by everyone who has been in this program, without a doubt. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Arte y Arquitectura Islamicos en Granada |
| Course Department: | Anthropology |
| Instructor: | Guadalupe Romero |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It was absolutely great. Great professor, great subject. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Haven't done it yet. |
