Exploring and Growing in Granada! January 19, 2023
By A student (Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2022 to 12/17/2022 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned how to be myself in a new place; I learned a lot of history and thought about the world in different ways. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really liked all my professors at the IES study center. The classes I took were engaging and the workload was manageable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff were friendly and easy to talk to. I loved the trips that we did to different cities in Spain and to Morocco. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For a dorm, it was more or less comfortable. |
| * Food: |
The residence hall food wasn't always good but the staff were very nice. |
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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? |
I personally didn't have any health issues during the program but people I knew were able to access healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe walking around the city even at night; that said, you should always have a buddy with you especially when you go out to a club or bar. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was very well run and the staff were helpful. I learned a lot in my classes and felt supported during my time abroad. |
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) |
Most of the expenses were covered through the program tuition. I mostly needed money for meals on the weekends but food costs are lower in Spain than they are in the US. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30-$40 |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish literature |
| 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? | Get involved in activities in Granada and hang out with the Spanish students! |
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? | To not be afraid to use my Spanish even if I'm not totally confident. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
