Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester of learning about a different culture and myself along the way! July 22, 2025

By (Language and arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/20/2025 to 05/17/2025 with

IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a better sense of cultural competency, improved my conversational Spanish skills, and was able to meet people of diverse backgrounds. This experience was definitely worthwhile and I would love return some day.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I loved the location, it wasn't too touristy or rural for a cultural immersion experience that wasn't too overwhelming. I loved the staff and the people in my program. Overall, it was exactly what I was looking for.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? make a budget on spreadsheets. I wish I did this and I would have felt more secure spending money.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? HISP111b
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? make friends with local students!! I often found myself speaking a lot of English with people with the program and not Spanish which would have improved my skills a lot.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Staff
  • location
  • culture
* What could be improved?
  • more social networking events
  • more city recommendations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How overwhelming it would be in the beginning especially with the language barrier.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.