A Transformational Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics does not live up to the quality and caliber set by TCNJ. The professors at large were less invested and the teaching style was less student-based. One professor was outright apathetic. However, I had two or three that were standout and really wanted us to embrace their class while also enjoying a light workload and learning outside the classroom. For example, you did not HAVE to do all of the work for the translation class, but if you were not traveling on the weekends and went the extra mile, it enriched your experience in the class overall.

On-site administration of your program

The ISA staff felt like family at the end of my stay in Granada and they were very helpful in troubleshooting the difficulties that I faced including sending medicine from the United States, a laptop problem, finding barbers, and managing a rough case of jet lag in Madrid. I feel that the ISA Granada staff was genuinely committed to my success and it was noticeable that their ambassadorship set our program apart from others to which my peers belonged.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My Spanish "family" truly is my family, minus the blood relation. I will never need a hotel the next time I go to southern Spain – not only Granada – as I grew close with all of my host mother's immediate family and WILL be visiting them again soon.

Fantastic! The cuisine was varied, authentic, and always prepared with concern to what we liked and did not like. My host mother was very flexible but also pushed us to try new foods; I left home swearing I'd never eat fish and came home loving it! Portions could almost be oversized at times.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Met locals, improved my Spanish

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I wound up teaching the translator for all of Granada's international students several words in English, including the term "lightheaded" while describing my condition during an ER visit. No access to clinics. You get what you pay for, but it's very basic – a stubbed toe is only remediated through a trip to the ER.

Granada is pristine and I never felt in danger. It is a friendly city and the program advisors did warn us to stay away from one neighborhood, which I've thus never set foot in.

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

Visited 9 countries on $5,000 and spent very little of that in Granada given the large concentration of the time I spent there.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I went to learn Spanish, and I did. My host mother didn't speak a lick of English, and my program directors would not address me unless I spoke to them in Spanish (since they knew I could). If necessary, they will speak English with other students but only after trying in Spanish.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students

• Freedom
• Experiencing authentic Spanish culture in numerous regions and cities
• Support from our program directors

• Integration with existing students living in Granada
• Academic rigor
• Quality of instruction

The Academic or Linguist