IES Abroad: Granada - Liberal Arts & Language
IES Abroad
Request Info
(For American Students)
Many travelers who visit Granada insist it’s the must-see city in all of Spain. With one of the clearest windows into Spain’s unique historical symbiosis of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, Granada is also a youthful city with a vibrant student l... read more
All Reviews
My Spanish not only greatly improved but I also learned how to put myself out there and jump into those uncomfortable situations. 4 or 5 months is not long enough in Granada. I made connections with people that I know will last and we had some of the most amazing adventures together during our time abroad. Summer Cook - University of Washington View Entire Review
Overall, my four months in Granada were amazing, and now that I'm back in the US I really miss the city. Granada is a city that's full of complex history, amazing architecture, life in the streets, and its easily navigable by walking. IES abroad staff was good at orienting us to the new abroad life and was eager to make sure we ... A student - Pomona College View Entire Review
My time abroad gave me a great opportunity to really think about culture, the impact the US really has on so much of the world, how much privilege we have living here, and of course language. Through the experience, my Spanish improved a great deal, especially my confidence when speaking. I always knew I wanted to study abroad... Sarah - Macalester College View Entire Review
My Spanish improved a lot. I also learned the value of a more relaxed style of living. It was definitely worthwhile. Now I feel like I have a second family in Granada, and I'm reevaluating what I want to do with my life. Kensey Katz - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill View Entire Review
IES Abroad Granada allowed me to become a more confident, worldly individual. Going abroad put me outside of my comfort zone, and I'm very grateful for that. In Granada, I became familiar with a new and beautiful culture, fell in love with art and architecture and dance, made some amazing new friends, and learned how to cook exc... A student - Kenyon College View Entire Review
I learned how to appreciate new cultures, whether it's my Spanish host family or my friend I met here from Missouri. I learned more Spanish than I ever have before or will again. IES is also not a vacation. I have a full academic courseload, with final exams and final projects/essays. I'll intege Ari L - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Being in Granada was one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had. I was able to improve my Spanish and study flamenco and had the opportunity to learn about Spanish architecture by visiting the Alhambra, walking in the Albayzín, and other historic sites throughout the city. I enjoyed the challenge of having to rely on ... A student - Scripps College View Entire Review
Being abroad helped me learn who I am. In Granada I did not have the daily life stress that I experience at my home university, so I had time to think, time to explore, and most importantly time to enjoy Spain and Granada. I learned how to be a better person, how to better connect with people, and what my true passions in life a... Casey B - University of Rochester View Entire Review
I learned to be more flexible and view issues and every-day life from more than one perspective. I learned to become adaptable and see the bigger picture, rather than focus on the smaller details. Scott O - Wheaton College, MA View Entire Review
I learned to be so much more thankful for the little things, and came back with a newfound appreciation for nature. I realized how challenging it is to feel like an outsider, but also how welcoming people can be. It was honestly the best thing I've ever done so far, and I wouldn't change it for anything. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review

Being thrown into an entirely new culture with a distinct language and customs helped me learn to take risks and jump into things headfirst. I was able to improve my language skills, live with a wonderful Spanish family, meet new friends and soak up all of the music, culture and tapas that Spain had to offer. It was absolutely w... N. R - Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State View Entire Review
I learned to live in a completely different city,to appreciate art and history more, and I loved discovering every facet of Granada and its streets. I learned a new language, made new friends, gained incredible experience both in and out of the classroom, and would not exchange my experience for anything in the world. Emma L - Lafayette College View Entire Review
This was the best semester of my life and I am so glad that I was lucky enough to experience it! Gabrielle P - Villanova University View Entire Review
It greatly helped my proficiency and it was definitely a worthwhile experience. Kelvin Ampem-Darko - Wheaton College, MA View Entire Review
Studying abroad, while challenging at times was definitely worthwhile, and my favorite semester of my college experience. Take advantage of the opportunity if you can. Abroad gave me the opportunity to reflect on many of the aspects of my life and path that I take for granted while at school in the United States. The opportunity... Maya - Barnard College View Entire Review
It was definitely worthwhile --I became more independent, flexible, and open-minded. I learned to embrace the Granadino philosophy of "no pasa nada." A student - Colorado College View Entire Review
World knowledge. Better language skills. better people skills. totally worthwhile. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained an innumerable amount of self-love and self-awareness, as well as many friends and experiences that I can never recreate in their entirety because they are so precious to my time here. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I grew to understand myself more while I was abroad. I feel more confident asking questions, don't hesitate to meet challenges head on, and feel a lot more expansive as a person since getting back. For these reasons, and countless more, the experience was 100% worthwhile. In retrospect, I see it as a necessary step in personal m... Emmet H - Yale University View Entire Review
I gained so many life lessons and learned so much about myself while I was abroad. I gained perspective and cultural awareness. Previous to traveling and living abroad, I always thought of Europeans or people overseas as "the other". I learned that they live very similar (if not better) lives than what we live in America. I trul... Megan C - Hope College View Entire Review

I learned so much about myself and the culture in which I lived and grew. It also really gave me a great opportunity to reflect on my own culture that I brought with me. It was the best 4 months of my life. Ben B - Grinnell College View Entire Review
I gained confidence and various skills, including the improvement of my Spanish. It was SO worthwhile. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
My four months in Granada were some of the best months of my life and not for all the reasons you would expect. Of course Granada made it rather easy for me to become part of a new culture, not merely understand it, learn a new language, not solely speak it but love it, make new friends but also keep the bonds that bound. I love... A student - Colorado College View Entire Review
This was my first time abroad, so I was very nervous going into the program. But I immediately fell in love with Granada and am so grateful to have been able to spend four months getting to know the city and its people. Life in Granada is lived in the streets, and there is always something to do and someone excited to do it. And... A student - Whitman College View Entire Review
Studying abroad through IES Granada allowed me to receive the quintessential Spanish student experience. They managed to pull some amazing professors from the local universities which permitted a great exchange of perspective. Most of the classes were taught in Spanish which enhanced my language capacity. In addition, they provi... Peter D - Loyola University Chicago View Entire Review
About
Our curriculum takes full advantage of Andalusia and all southern Spain has to offer. The program offers two unique program options that are designed to improve your Spanish proficiency: the Intermediate Spanish Program and Advanced Spanish Program.
Students placed in the Intermediate Program take IES Abroad courses in both English and Spanish. The Advanced Program courses are conducted entirely in Spanish, including study at the Universidad de Granada. Both options introduce you to Spain’s Moorish heritage and Jewish past, and its continuing links to North Africa through Islamic and Contemporary North African Studies. Advanced students can also experience Arabic language courses of all levels, at the Universidad de Granada. You can also add
international work experience to your résumé while earning credit by participating in an internship
placement and accompanying academic seminar.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
- Academic Year
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
- English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Environmental Studies
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Spanish Language, Literature
- Arabic Language and Literature
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Economics
- International Relations
- Political Science and Government
- Fine Arts, Studio Arts
- Music
- History
Minimum GPA:
2.75Website
Take me there!Statistics
Videos
Featured IES Abroad Programs
We’d like to let you in on a little secret: Vienna is extraordinary. Quickly—gather your things and study there before more students realize what a hidden gem it is. Consi...
Think of your study abroad experience as a song—what will be the inspiration? See “The Last Supper,” one o...
Madrid is an ideal place to connect university studies to the city's business, culture, and politics. The ...
It is impossible to avoid the past in Rome. It eagerly waits for you around every corner, hoping to intrig...