For the best semester in Granada, best to avoid speaking English Past Review
By Amy T (HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS., Ithaca College) for
IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
It was absolutely worthwhile and had an amazing time, I just wish I had done a lot of things differently. Future students: do not let anything hold you back while you are there, you will regret it. Take advantage of everything!!!
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned a lot from being abroad, but most of it came from my experiences not from my classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I gave it a rating in the middle because there is nothing I can think to comment on - good or bad. Nothing was exceptional but nothing was terrible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Realejo - Pavaneras. I was the least pleased with my housing. I shared a room with another girl and it was so small our beds were pushed together like one big bed. We only had one chair and very limited space for clothing and anything else. <br /><br /> My location was superb - I was 5 minutes away from my center, but as I said before, I was very unhappy with my living conditions. |
| * Food: |
My senora cooked the bare minimum required and made the same thing almost everyday. She often cooked in advance and we ate leftovers for a couple days. This, like housing, isn't the worst it could be, but in comparison to what other students had, I had a very poor homestay. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program organized a lot of gatherings and field trips that I enjoyed very much. The trip to Morocco they organized is one of my fondest memories. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I personally felt safe, though I know there were a couple incidents / problems other students had, but in a different section of Granada. I visited the doctor once and my concerns were addressed but it was nerve wracking going to a foreign doctor alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I can't remember details but I'd estimate I spent about 30 Euros a week on food / drinks/ and anything else. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent most of my money traveling - it goes quickly!! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My language skills definitely improved, but I wish I hadn't used English as much as I did. |
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? | It was a very Americanized experience - I would have tried for another program that stressed cultural immersion. I heard about other programs where the students were not allowed to speak English and I think that would have been more appropriate for me. |
