Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living, learning, loving Spain Past Review

By (Northwestern University) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/19/2018 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater understanding of what it is like to be a European in addition to the current social and political problems Spain is facing. Living with local students also gave me a greater understanding of what that is like and I was able to find just as many similarities as differences!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

Living in the Colegio Mayor Santa Fe was great!

* Food:

Tapas are cheap and there is a great array of food choices, especially authentic Moroccan food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program provided many oppertunities to immerse in the culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Extremely safe. Felt comfortable walking alone any time in the night.

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

Granada was a fantastic place to practice my spanish as most people could not speak english or had a low level of english. It was very easy to find places to practice spanish and Granada is affordable and very safe.

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? 20 euros

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

Only took classes in spanish and the administration spoke to us in spanish

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 220
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? Join a sports team, talk to the locals (ask them questions), go to intercambios

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Met people from many different schools
  • Great faculty/classes
  • Great planned trips all around southern spain
* What could be improved?
  • Desks were older and arranged in an odd arrangement
  • More variety of classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Pack very lightly. One large suitcase and a duffel for travel is all you need!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!