Studying Spanish in Granada Changed My Life In So Many Wonderful Ways. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had classes 4 hours a day, Monday-Friday. Most of the time, I felt like we didn't get a whole ton of homework. Maybe an hour and a half or so a night, on average. I loved class. My professors were all awesome. The class sizes were small enough so that each student got lots of talking time, and also, I was able to get to know the people in my class. Learning Spanish in a country that actually speaks Spanish was so helpful. I learned a lot more in 3 months than I would in a year here in the US.

On-site administration of your program

ISA is a great program to go through. The staff are all so nice, and are there for you whenever you need them. All of them are so knowledgeable about Spain. Towards the end of my stay in Europe, I had to send home a package to the states, with a bunch of clothes, souvenirs, etc...in it. I sent it through the post office in Granada. At first, the package got rejected, and wasn't able to be sent. ISA informed me of this, but by this time, I was already out of Spain, and in a different part of Europe. I couldn't just run fly back there and get it. I wrote asking them if they could help me send it another way. They drove to UPS and sent it for me (also making a few trips to the post office, asking why it got rejected.) It was kind of a grueling process, but they weren't going to leave me hanging, which I was so thankful for. The stuck with me throughout the whole thing.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I got so lucky with my host family. María and Julio were the greatest. María was such a good cook, and they were both really funny. My roommate, Anna, was great too. She is the best roomie I have ever had, and we both became great friends. We both got our own rooms, which was a pleasant surprise. They had a very neat and tidy apartment, and treated us as if we were their own daughters. They smoked, but luckily, it was out the window, or out on the porch. I was so glad they didn't do it inside. That could have been an issue for me. From their place, it was a 20 minute walk to class, which was great. I felt that it was in a pretty good area in terms of proximity to nightlife and class. It wasn't right in the heart of the city, but not so far out that it took a million years to get somewhere.

María was a very good cook. I will say though, I was a little surprised at how much the Spanish diet lacks vegetables. Anna and I are both health freaks, and we were just DYING to eat something green. María made salads every day, but they were with iceburg lettuce, and out-of-season tomatoes. After awhile, I just couldn't eat them anymore. Most of the time, the food was wonderful. If you like something, let her know, and she will make it again. And if you don't like something, you don't have to eat it. These were her rules. :)

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The coolest social event by far was going to Morocco with my program. It was an optional trip they had, and I jumped on the opportunity to go to Africa. It was an amazing experience. We got to visit the Medina in Fes (a big marketplace) ride camels in the Sahara desert, and go camping out there for 2 nights, as well. My friends and I really bonded on that trip. It was great. Other cool things that the ISA staff did for social events were: Bringing us to the Alhambra/Generalife gardens, bringing us to a flamenco show, and also, setting up the intercambio night at a bar, so we could meet local Spaniards, and get to know them and do language exchanges.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I feel like Europe in general is a lot safer than the United States. I felt that I could walk alone at night and feel just fine. Our program directors recommended that we don't do that, but I think that if you stay on the busy streets, and keep your wits about you, you will be fine. I would NEVER walk alone at night anywhere in my city in the states. I never had to go to a doctor's office or health care professional while I was there, so I can't state how it would be compared to home. Judging from other friends' experiences when they were there, the doctors, dentists, etc...were great, and it costs much less than it would in the states.

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

I lived with a host family that spoke no English. This was a perfect way for me to practice my speaking every day. Also, I made friends with Spaniards through the intercambio (language exchange) program through ISA. This way, I was able to talk in Spanish a lot with locals. It was so fun hanging out with them. I felt like my Spanish could drastically improve just by being around Spanish speaking students for a few hours. My American friends and I spoke English together most of the time. But I still got lots of Spanish talking time everyday, with Spanish friends, and my host family.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Americans