Granada: Mi media naranja... An incredible eye-opening, global experience! Past Review
By Alyssa J (EDUCATION., Pacific Lutheran University) for
Pacific Lutheran University: Granada - PLU and ILACA Consortium
I learned so much about myself. It was my first time out of the United States, so it was an incredible experience to learn about another culture. My eyes were opened to an entirely different way of life, which I think is so necessary for our generation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was wonderful at helping us adjust, preparing us for the DELE exam, encouraging us to speak and improve our Spanish, a long with creating a comfortable and caring relationship so I felt like I had someone on my side. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My program set me up with a host family and one other student from my program. My host mom provided sheets, towels, food (she cooked for us), etc. We lived centrally, close to school, shopping and the nightlife. I always felt safe, although the use of common sense is obvious. |
| * Food: |
I didn't have any dietary restrictions so it was easy for me to eat. My mom made a TON of food, so we ate a lot. The hardest thing to get used to is the dining schedule, eating a big lunch and a really late dinner. You'll eat a lot of ham and seafood, lots and lots of carbs and little vegetables. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had very few problems feeling unsafe... although it did take time getting used to the forwardness of the men in Spain, which can make one feel uneasy/unsafe at first. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? |
I practiced speaking Spanish everyday. My host mom did not speak English, so all interactions with her were in Spanish. All of my courses and interactions with professors were in Spanish as well. The only time English was really used was when I communicated with people from home or a few other students from my program. |
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? | GO! Go see a different culture, in one way or another, you will grow from a study abroad experience. Take everything with a grain of salt, you won't like everything/everyone but seeing a different way of life is a very unique experience that I guarantee will change your life. |
