Granada, a Learning Experience Past Review
By Nadia T (Political Science, University of Houston) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned a lot of Spanish and a different way of life, it was overall a rewarding experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I disliked the fact that the University of Houston gives letter grades for completion of a course taken abroad. Grading methods are much different than in the United States so it is hard to create a grading scale that is fair. Because my teacher showed that she disliked me very much, I found it unfair that I had to settle for the grade she had given me, being that this grade would effect my GPA. Credit, not an actual grade, should just be given to a student who passes a study abroad course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The representatives from Sol were very helpful, yet there was a lot of disorganization. It was difficult to do very simple things, for example, changing classes took about a week to figure out in my case. I enjoyed the excursions, my program specifically from the University of Houston required for me to stay an extra week in order to get my credits, no excursions were planned for the students left over from UH. I wish there was at least a couple of activities planned for the students still left for that extra week. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed living in a section of the apartment just for foreign exchange students, we had our own bathroom and it was very comfortable. The only complaint I have was that it was extremely hot and our host mother did not want us to get a fan because she said it would use up too much electricity. |
| * Food: |
Food was great, there was a scheduled time to where we ate our meals which was nice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed the beach trip very much, I wish we could have stayed a night longer there. I enjoyed learning to Flamenco. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did not have a problem when it came to safety. My roommate got extremely sick and one of the Sol Abroad leaders took her to the doctor and helped her out very much. My host family and the Sol Abroad leaders constantly reminded us to stay in groups when out late at night. |
| 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? |
I practiced the language a lot with my host family, having sit down meals and conversations with them greatly helped me understand and speak Spanish very well. I needed to use Spanish in every place I went, not very many people spoke English in Granada. |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To consider a different program if they are interested; this program was unorganized. I feel like many situations were the luck of the draw, some people loved their host family and their housing conditions, some didnt, some enjoyed many of the excursions, some didnt, it just depends on what you like. |
