the best four months of my life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took 4 classes at the CLM, an internship, and one intensive course. Overall, I found the courses to be very relaxed with hardly any homework. Most of my teachers were great and very helpful, although I did have two that I would rate as just average. The learning environment at the CLM is very different than that of my home university, but different in a good way--the classes are more focused on actually learning and participating in class, not just learning to take a test. Overall an experience I would recommend to anyone trying to decide upon a university in Spain.

On-site administration of your program

Both the program directors were great! They were very informative about the history, and also very passionate when it came to telling it. I had a blast discovering Granada with both of them and hope you will too!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I ended up staying with two different host families, one of which was excellent and the other was just ok. The program was very flexible and always trying to make sure that students are comfortable and happy with their housing arrangements, hence allowing me to change houses. The family I loved is still constantly in contact with me, and already emailing me to ask when I will visit.

One of my host madres was an amazing cook, and even taught me some recipes I plan to attempt to make for my friends at school.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had a blast immersing myself in the local culture, from my daily swims at my apartments pool, biweekly salsa dance lessons, and monthly soccer games, I ended the semester with various groups of Spanish friends. I even had three different groups of friends celebrate my birthday with me!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While in Granada, I ended up getting sick 3 times, and thus ended up at the medico 3 times.. Not exactly my idea of a "fun" adventure in Spain, but the program directors were pretty helpful in making sure I got better. My host parents as well were very helpful, even accompanying me to the doctors office once...not to mention their attempts at giving me their home remedies.

Throughout my time in Granada, I never felt unsafe, although I did hear of a few incidents from students in other programs. For the most part if you stay in groups and take taxi's home late at night, Granada is generally a safe city.

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

It depends on the person, but I had weeks where I spent less than $100, and weeks where I spent closer to $250. It also depends on how much traveling you want to do outside of the city.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Our program was on top of ensuring that everyone was speaking Spanish, all the time. I even took it to the next level by challenging myself to a week of no English at all... and I successfully completed it, although I did forget a few times, it was a great learning experience.

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students
• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• the experience

• how the roommates are selected

The Academic or Linguist