Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life-Changing Past Review

By (Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 09/27/2017 to 12/21/2017 with

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My confidence has increased greatly. Before I had a low self esteem and now I feel like I can do just about anything if I put my mind to it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick consistently for the first month. SOL was very helpful helping me getting the medical care I needed.

* Safety:

Granada is a very safe city. Felt more safe walking round the city by myself at night than in my own city back in the US.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

SOL was just an amazing program. I would talk to other students in other programs and they had some Host family horror stories. SOL was always there whenever there was an issue.

Finances

* 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)

Spain is not an expensive country at all to live in. Also since all your food is pay for with your host family you do not have to worry about buying food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The thing that probably cost the most was the nightlife. If you want to save money, do not go out. Drinks start to add up after a while. Also eat in with your host family. Do not go out to eat.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

I came in with no Spanish speaking experiance and the program directors would always encourage me how well I was doing and e

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I had not taken any Spanish courses prior.
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? Before you come study as much as you can. No many people in Granada speak English so you will have to know a good amount of Spanish to be able to get what you need. Watch movies in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. Even if you do not know what they are saying it will get you more familiar with the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Cultural Activities
  • CLM
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I should have studied more Spanish before I come to Granada. That was probably the most stressed I have ever been in my life because I was unable to understand anything my host family was telling me.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.