You Will Find Yourself January 30, 2025
By A student (International and Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/02/2024 to 12/18/2024 with
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
I learned that I love to go on walks and explore. Walk everywhere! Every street is beautiful and the hilly nature will make you more fit. Make use of easy/accessible trips around Europe and Spain- particularly Monachil and Nerja.
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. |
Very easy content but it was difficult on two fronts. 1) They have low tolerance towards absences. I didn't realize just how negatively my absences (from just exploring the city instead of going to class) were affecting my grade. 2) For classes in Spanish, you may be assigned an instructor who may not be the best at English/ may not slow down their speaking for you to understand/translate it better. Keep that in mind. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Best admin! They are all so sweet and they hire intelligent yet friendly professors. Loved spending time with them in Morocco. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My residence hall was very strict, but the rooms were nice and we didn't have to worry about personal laundry/bathroom cleaning. Made friends with local students, but again, very strict rules! I know at least three of my classmates who were threatened to be kicked out... Not the fault of IES though. |
| * Food: |
Personally not for me! The food I did enjoy was mostly the Shawarmas/ Moroccan food but the local cuisine just didn't match my preferences. But I am sure you will find something that you will like! For me, it was any gambas dish and hot chocolate. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you want to learn about the culture, you must go to Flamenco shows in Sacromonte. The best way I felt integrated was to just walk through the city, particularly Albaicyn, Realejo, and down the river. I recommend hiking in Monachil and visiting Nerja for the beautiful beach town and pre-historic caves. Best weekend getaways. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Accessible health-care! |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Granada is a magical city. I wish I could see it for the first time again. |
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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you live in a residence hall with an accessible kitchen you can use as well as dining hall, you should have no problem. But be prepared to fend for yourself if you live in a homestay. |
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 |
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? | Make every day count because your time there will fly by so fast. Eliminate your need for technology/ bedrotting alone time before you go as to make the most of it. |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Arab World and the West |
| Course Department: | IR |
| Instructor: | Javier Martinez |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Did not have much coursework, but the content was so intriguing. He is an expert in this topic and will make it interesting for you too. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Watercolor Workshop |
| Course Department: | Fine Arts |
| Instructor: | Ana Walta |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish/English mix |
| Comments: | Even if you don't care about art, I recommend taking at least one course with Ana. She is wonderful and so kind. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
