It was the experience of a lifetime. Past Review
By Isabel Lehmann (Hope College) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/18/2018 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about myself and how I can make a difference in my small, midwestern bubble. We are so small in the grand scheme, and, more than not, we fail to remember that. I would do it all over again.
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. |
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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? |
Staying in a home-stay was the best part of my abroad experience, and I would recommend it to anyone trying to decide. |
| * Food: |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program gave me an incredibly immersive experience, with opportunities to travel, hike, get involved, and meet locals. |
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? | About 30-50 euros, depending on the week. It would be more if there was an excursion/trip, but a normal week staying in Granada is relatively cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget prior to arriving to your country. This way you plan what you can spend on trips, food, activities, and other various costs. |
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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 5 |
| 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? | Duolingo is helpful, as is Rosetta Stone, but the most practical way to practice the language is music/movies/TV shows. |
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 had prepared more for the money I would spend. It's not that I didn't expect to spend a lot, or need a lot, but I wish I had prepared myself a bit more for the trips I wanted to take outside of my program. |
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.' |
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