Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Granada - The learning experience of a lifetime! Past Review

By (Political Science/Spanish, University of Portland) for

Pacific Lutheran University: Granada - PLU and ILACA Consortium

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
After three months abroad, I gained an entirely new perspective of my own culture, my abilities to succeed in unfamiliar situations, and a much better grasp of Spanish. This program inspired me to return to spain two years later to live and work for two years and I've never been happier.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program director, Mark Bennet was incredible. A very good instructor, and very accessible and helpful!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Program took several excursions - to Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Nerja, Ronda, Sevilla. Felt like we really had an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture and see more than just the city where we were studying.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Whatever program you choose - immerse yourself! Don't just stick to the familiar! This program really encouraged the students to go out and meet locals, to live like Spaniards, and to let go of our comfort zones! If you aren't okay doing that, you won't enjoy or benefit from the experience.