Past Review
By Meera K (Political Science and Government., Rice University) for
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
The experience was definitely worthwhile and I really enjoyed it. It helped me become more independent and made me expand my understanding of the world. My Spanish has gotten a million times better and I had a wonderful time.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Granada |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were a little difficult, and I wish there was a little more variety, but the professors were great and I really enjoyed everything |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment just outside of the centro. My host family consisted of an older divorced woman (we called them senoras). I had my own room, and another girl from the program who lived there had a room down the hall. Breakfast and lunch were provided 7 days a week <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
I am a vegetarian, and I never had trouble finding food. Breakfast and lunch were provided by my host mom every day, and for dinner I either went out for tapas or bought food at the grocery store and ate that. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We took a lot of trips--to most of the major cities in Southern Spain (Córdoba was my favorite). We had a couple open mic nights. Granada is a really rich city in terms of cultural events. I especially enjoyed the parade celebrating the saint's day of the patron saint of Granada, Nuesta Senora de las Angustias |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never was in an unsafe situation, though 2 students randomly got mugged near the end of the program. Participation in an IES program comes with international health insurance, and when I was sick, one of the staff members made the appointment for me. The clinic was fine and I got better with the meds prescribed to me, so it was great. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | Because dinner wasn't provided, I spent some money on that. I probably spent about 10-20 euro per week, depending on whether I went out or not. I purchased my own prepaid phone from Vodafone, which definitely had less strings attached than the phones available for rent from the program, but also ended up costing me more. I used Skype to call home. The only books you have to buy are for your language class--otherwise they just used photocopies, which you have to buy, but they aren't expensive |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget in advance for trips that you want to take independent of the program. Do not eat out every night because that is a big budget drain. Be prepared to have to buy the things you forgot at home--they might not be cheap (i.e. sunscreen) abroad. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had taken Spanish for 8 years before I went to Spain, so I was already proficient. There are 6 possible levels of language class, and we have to take a language assessment before we get to Granada, and a week after we arrive, so they really work to put you in the right level. I made a lot of progress, but near the end reached a sort of plateau. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Even though you want to go all over the place and see all of Spain, Granada is a city that's full of things to do. I wish I had spent more time exploring the city I was in instead of going to other places. |
