A semester to remember September 08, 2023
By kendyll v (Marketing, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/24/2023 to 05/20/2023 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned so much about myself during this experience and I learned in a way that could never be replicated in a class room
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Really interesting classes that transferred and satisfied my home university requirements |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amazing staff who love helping you make the most if the experience |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
dorms were strict and felt a little controlling |
| * Food: |
eating out was cheap and delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
One of Granadas best student cities |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Amazing staff going out of their way to help keep you healthy and comfortable |
| * Safety: |
Always felt safe, never felt uncomfortable walking alone or a night |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I fell head over heels in love with the city and the experience if I could go back this second I would do it in a heart beat |
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) |
Andalucia and Granada especially was a very affordable city |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Prioritize your spending and make sure to save so you have th money to buy something really special if you see it |
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 |
Constantly being encouraged to use Spanish! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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 497 |
| 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? | Talk to people! A lot of Spanish people are learning English and are just as eager to practice and get better as you are! |
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? | Being alone and exploring a new city is a wonderful gift and NOT something to be anxious over! |
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.' |
