Granada: Challenging Yet Rewarding Past Review
By Mariam R (PSYCHOLOGY., Pacific Lutheran University) for
Pacific Lutheran University: Granada - PLU and ILACA Consortium
I gained more confidence and a deeper understanding of my goals for the future. I would like to teach a language one day. My experience abroad has heightened my awareness of worldwide issues.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was easy to moderate. The schooling there did not challenge me to gain fluency in the language. Teaching methods depended on the professor. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty leaders were very helpful and supportive. They responded quickly to emails and helped with any difficulties students were having such as illnesses and homesickness. They were very knowledgeable. Program size was good. My expectations were satisfied. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family. I was treated like another family member. I did not need to buy many items to settle in and the apartment was located near class. In general it was comfortable. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was very accommodating to my dietary restrictions. The quality of the food was great. The only difficulty I had was the food schedule. Spaniards tend to eat light breakfasts, eat a heavy meal at 3:00, and another meal at 9:30. I was unable to get used to this schedule. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program arranged trips to Madrid, Sevilla, Toledo, Cordoba and others. I didn't enjoy these trips as much as I enjoyed the cultural events within Granada. The Day of the Cross and the processions during Semana Santa were very memorable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My host city, Granada does not experience much crime at all. I did not experience any problems. I once got sick and was sent to the hospital. My program assisted me; they provided me with the healthcare and payed for the hospital visit. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The program encouraged language acquisition. Most students spoke English. I spoke Spanish daily with peers and my host family. Speaking Spanish was necessary in everyday interactions. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live 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? | Be open minded, try out new things but don't overwhelm yourself. The type of student that benefits most from this program is someone who is able to adapt. |
