Living Abroad is Learning Abroad Past Review
By McKinley Cole (Eastern Kentucky University) - abroad from 01/23/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned to appreciate local culture in Granada, even though it was so different than what I experience at home or have experienced in other countries. Every moment was worth it in Granada, no matter what language barrier I encountered, I always learned something from every obstacle!
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. |
I received a thorough education on everything from Spanish grammar to slang from passionate and involved professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt at home with my host family in Granada from the moment I walked through the door. My host mom prepared wonderful traditional Spanish meals, all while taking care of my roommate and I and answering any questions we had. I couldn't have asked for a better host family experience! |
| * Food: |
My host family prepared traditional Spanish meals, all of which were delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family was the most essential part of being integrated into Spanish culture. While sometimes it was difficult to meet locals due to the international culture of my university, I still feel as though I got a great taste of local culture just by living there and exploring the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Granada and knew that if anything were to happen, I could call my on-site directors for help or advice. They provided us with safety information during orientation that helped me feel prepared. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Sol Education Abroad has surprised me time and time again with how much they offer to their students. I love the program and would absolutely go abroad with them again! |
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) |
Granada was fairly inexpensive on a student budget! I was always able to afford going out for a coffee or ice cream with friends. While shopping wasn't always cheap, that's easily avoidable. Many popular souvenir locations in Granada are open to bargaining as well, which was a fun learning experience! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're trying to save money while abroad, book most of your travel plans in advance! Hostels, flights, etc will be much cheaper if they're booked in advance. Try local transportation instead of taking taxis everywhere - that way you can save money and get to know your city better by walking! |
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 |
Our directors always encouraged us to speak the language by speaking Spanish to us and providing emails in Spanish (always with English at the end for clarification). |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPA 492 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make local friends to practice the language! It's not always easy but it pays off when trying to learn a language. Interact with your host family more than just at meal times. Try to speak the language with your friends when you're out and about on the streets - you'll look and act more like a local! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | Before going on this program, I wish I had known that Spaniards don't smile at strangers on the street. I quickly learned once off my plane that locals don't tend to smile at others as part of the culture! |
