My Wonderful Experience in Granada Past Review
By A student (Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other, CUNY - Brooklyn College) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 01/30/2015 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned how to truly pursue a language, that one cannot learn a language by rote or through textbooks. One must constantly use a language, noting its complexities and variances based on the people who use it. Granada itself was--there is no other way to put it--the perfect city. The people were friendly, and the city was simultaneously beautiful, exciting, and comforting.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The material helped us to converse with a more native dialect, but some professors were a little unreasonable with their expectations, and the exams expected the students to have an unlimited arsenal of vocabulary. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program offers limitless cultural trips, and the advisors and so friendly and sincere. They will go out of their way to help you with anything that you need. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with the most friendly and helpful host mother, and the accommodations were generous to say the least. |
| * Food: |
My host mother was a phenomenal cook. However, the Spanish staples are just a little bit bland; ham and eggs were present in most meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There is simply no city like Granada. It is safe, clean, and the city is overflowing with unmatched culture and history. I have never been to a city with so much to do at all times of the day and night, and I am from New York. The people are also exceedingly friendly and honest; I lost my very valuable camera in the park, and a stranger returned the camera to city hall. I have never seen such generosity and kindness from a complete stranger. We also got numerous chances to speak with Spanish students through the intercambios program, which was a useful and fun way to meet the local people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt in danger as a woman walking the streets of Granada at all times of the day and night. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Use the language all the time, listen to the Spanish news or audiobooks, and read Spanish news and books. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | I wish I knew to truly take advantage of the intercambios program. |
