Granada pushed me to improve my Spanish skills in a dreamy city January 29, 2025
By A student (Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/02/2025 to 12/17/2024 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I gained more advanced Spanish speaking skills, as well as stronger communication skills. I also gained a greater cross-cultural appreciation. The experience was definitely worth it.
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. |
While the academics were not particularly challenging, I was pushed to think critically about consumable media, human interactions with the environment, and sustainability. As a non-native Spanish speaker, the classes took a bit to get adjusted to, but the resources provided were sufficient. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was amazing and very easy to set up meetings with. The program admin was very accessible and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * 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? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the IES Granada program. The professors and admin were amazing and cultivated an educational and intimate environment. I also really liked the city of Granada and the activities that it offered. |
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? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat more during lunch so you're less hungry for dinner |
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? | 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? | HISP122 |
| 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? | listen to music and making Spanish friends |
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? | I wish I knew the importance of being adaptable and managing personal finances effectively |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
