Everything I Hoped for and MORE Past Review
By Meredith Hawley (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/18/2018 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
My semester in Granada was absolutely worthwhile. My tuition covered four incredible trips to other Andalucian cities with all of the other IES students and faculty, as well as an optional excursion (although I highly HIGHLY recommend going) to Morocco. Throughout my time in Granada, I stayed with a phenomenal host family and got to know other Spanish students through orientation leaders and friends I made through different activities throughout the week. I'm unable to fully explain the amazing experience I had at IES Abroad Granada, and hope that every student who is interested in this program applies!!
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. |
Classes were not very difficult, but I learned so much! I took a Watercolor course where we painted scenes around Granada, and also a Flamenco Dance and History class! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Javier and the rest of the staff at Granada are absolutely amazing!! I couldn't be more grateful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great and had been hosting students for 11 years by the time I showed up! I shared every meal with them, and learned so much about the Spanish culture and language! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Granada is very safe in general. I never was worried about my safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I hadn't been planning to study abroad with this program, or in this city, but I am SO thankful I did! Granada is the perfect city in Spain to immerse yourself in the traditional Spanish culture, and the IES program there is run in an incredible manner. The staff at IES cares about you having an immersive, self-reflective, amazing journey, and they help you along the way. |
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 is a student's paradise! You prepay for breakfast and lunch with your host family or residencia every day, and then are able to get tapas for dinner! You get a free tapa with every drink you order, so on average I spent about 4.40 euros for two drinks and two small dinner plates! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 75 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Tapas are your friend! Also embrace all of the meals your host family serves you!s |
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? | 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? | 300 level course |
| 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? | All of your classes are in Spanish, but I think I learned the most with my host family! Don't be afraid to speak to them, or practice what you have been learning in all of your classes. |
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? | DO NOT bring as much clothes as you think! My host mom washed my clothes every week, and I did not need to bring as much as I did. Be courageous in speaking to store clerks and servers in Spanish! |
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. |
