Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I MISS GRANADA! Go if you get the chance! September 17, 2022

By (Anthropology and Neuroscience, Bryn Mawr College) - abroad from 01/16/2022 to 06/05/2022 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile. It mainly improved my confidence and trust in myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Education level was fantastic; it was a less rigorous than at my home institution but I feel like that was ideal because it allowed us more time to really get to explore the city and surrounding areas, as well as meet new people and form friendships!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I love the programme staff; they are so friendly, supportive and sweet, and so excited to teach you about their country!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family and absolutely adored them; in fact, I'm going back to visit them for a week over fall break!

* Food:

My host mum is the best cook and always thoughtful about catering towards our individual likes, dislikes, and needs.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Being with a host family made me feel integrated, but honestly making friends with local people was quite hard as you really had to seek out opportunities to interact with them and it was a challenge with the language barrier. However, I still made a few meaningful connections with local people and I felt very welcome to participate in local cultural practices and celebrations.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

5 stars for IES connecting me with a counsellor as soon as I expressed a need for it. Unfortunately, the insurance process was pretty complicated and in fact I still have not received compensation, although I have been advised that it's on its way.

* Safety:

IES puts student safety first and I felt really comfortable and taken care of when I was with them.

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

100% - although now I'm also interested in other regions!

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)

Really easily; Granada is very much a student city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It depended on the week; on weeks that I was travelling I obviously spent more, but for weeks that I spent at home it was never really more than 30 euros per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For homestayers, I recommend buying non-perishable foods to store as snacks/ cook in the evenings. Drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - are accompanied by free tapas so that's also a nice dinner option, but I wouldn't do it every night as cooking for yourself is cheaper.

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

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? Advanced
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? I spoke in Spanish for all of my classes and with my host family; I only really spoke in English during phone calls or with American friends on the programme with me. My tip is not to give up; it can feel like you're 'stuck' at a certain level for forever, but I promise you, it is making a difference to how your brain functions!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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 staff
  • The field trips
  • The friends that I made
* What could be improved?
  • More interactions with people in the local area
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known to join local groups and activities outside of the IES programme so that I would have been really, truly immersed with the local community.

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!