Viva Granada! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload with regards to IES classes was definitely less strenuous than classes in the States, but there were usually projects/research papers that accompanied each class, so, were one to procrastinate, the work could seem like more than it really was. The way that three of my four classes were set up required me to utilize sources within Granada, which gave me a chance to mingle with natives and to explore the city more, both of which I appreciated.

On-site administration of your program

I loved the staff at IES; they were extremely helpful and very eager to know about our experiences and willing to give advice if we wanted it. Now, if we could only get a fully functioning printer...

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I could talk about my host mother for the rest of my days and I still don't think I could adequately describe how much I adored her. She was/is the sweetest person in all of Granada and living with her just enhanced my time abroad--not to mention that she was an amazing cook.

I believe that people will eat well and heartily in Spain. If you like potatoes or pork, then you'll be in heaven, since those seem to be staples in the Spanish diet. I would definitely advise future students to take advantage of tapas bars, specifically Poe and La Bella y La Bestia (which is off of Gran Via). Also, Los Italianos ice cream (also on Gran Via) is the most sinfully delicious treat in the world. Kebab King is off of Gran Via and an extremely short distance up the street from the IES building, so if you ever get the munchies on your way home from a disco, they're open until about 2:00 a.m. and schwarmas are only about 5 euro. El Corte Ingles, which is a department store, actually has a well-hidden restaurant inside and they're pretty okay; it's not something that I just died to go to all the time, but the food is decent, even if the service isn't the best (it took my friends and I 45 minutes to get the check). Other than that, I would say try to go across the river to the more residential side of Granada and there are great tapas bars on that side that you just have to seek out. Oh, and don't forget to try a pionono!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There's something for any type of social palate in Granada. If you're more of a history buff, then definitely go to the Alhambra--actually, even if you despise history, go to the Alhambra, because, well, you'll probably hate yourself if you go study abroad in Granada and don't go see the pride and joy of the city, which any tourist goes to see even if they're only in Granada for a few hours. But I digress; I would also suggest going to La Catedral, which is where Ferdinand and Isabella are interred; La Casa del Horno de Oro, which is now something of a museum; take a hike up to El Mirador de San Nicolas, which has the most amazing view of Granada in the city and has a great view of the Alhambra; and plenty of other more touristy places. Also, please go to the Albaycin, which is the Muslim-influenced area of the city; there are some great teterias and restaurants there, including great shopping and wonderful people. If one is looking for more of a club scene, then there's Tantra, which is off of Gran Via (Gran Via is just a busy street); Afrodisia, further down Gran Via than Tantra, but worth the walk on hip hop nights; Granada Diez, on Gran Via--it's okay the first few times, but then it gets repetitive; Camborio, which is a long walk away from everything, but it's a pretty good place to go; Mae West, which is in the Neptuno Mall, but please be a little dressy for that; this wonderful little salsa bar that's around the corner from Chupeterria 69; and plenty of others. With regards to bars, there's a lovely little reggae bar around the corner from Granada Diez and the people are really nice there, there's Chupeterria 69, which boasts one euro shots, and a few other places that one will discover on random nights exploring the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any safety issues and I feel that, as long as one adheres to the warnings of IES and uses basic common sense, everything will be fine. Granada has a low crime rate, though petty theft can be a problem for tourists, but that goes back to the common sense thing; for instance, don't just flash 200 euro in public because someone can easily "bump" into you and then that money is gone. As far as health goes, I actually got throat and ear infections (simultaneously) while I was there, but I went to the doctor, they gave me medicine and put me on bedrest for two days and I was a lot better. No vaccines are necessary. As far as communicating with healthcare administrators in Granada, if you feel that you need someone to help translate for you, someone from IES will go with you.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I practiced Spanish with any and everyone. Because Granada is smaller and less touristy than larger cities in Spain (i.e. Madrid and Barcelona), most Granadinos only speak Spanish, so my English didn't really take me very far. Further, my host mother spoke absolutely no English, so I started stumbling my way through Spanish in the beginning and carrying around my trusty dictionary and, by the end of my time abroad, I could hold some pretty decent conversations.

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