Granada: An experience to hold onto forever Past Review
By Becca R (Nutrition with a concentration in Dietietics and minor in Spanish, Western Carolina University) for
University of Granada: Granada - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned to be more culturally aware, to be more responsible, a new sense of independence, and a new curiousity for travel. I plan on going a more trips and going abroad many more times in my future.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was average, when compared to the workload from my University in the US. The grading system was different, school work was graded on a scale of 1-10 and a 5 if passing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration at the University were hard to commiunicate with at time because there was a language barrier at times. However, my advisor was very helpful and would help me run errands throughout the day, as in helping me purchase a cell phone plan, electronics, or help me with planning trips. I was very pleased with their help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a local family in the city, it was about a 10 minute walk to class every day. My host family did not know English, so that helped me intergrate into the language a lot more because I wanted a chance to communicate with them. I did not have to purchase anything at all in the house; all meals were provided for me, my clothes and sheets were washed for me weekly, and showers were provided. |
| * Food: |
I have a dietary restriction that my host family took into consideration. I was a little upset with the food that I was given though. My host family got to go food a lot for me, instead of creating a lot of Spanish food, which I was looking forward to. For students to dine, there are tapas restaurants all over the center city, you can not miss it. It is very popular to get tapas around 9pm with friends in Granada. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My favorite trip that I went on was going to Sevilla, it has the Plaza de Espana, which is definitely a very beautiful square that is worth being seen. I enjoyed the planned trips with the program; however, I prefered to plan my own trips because I was not on a specific timeline all day. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was the the health clinic one time and my advisor went with me. The doctor used a translating dictionary and we were able to get through our visit. I did not need any sort of vaccine to enter Spain and the healthcare was fine. I had travelers insurance and did not have to pay any fee to see the doctor. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I only had to pay for any drinks or food out of the house, any extra travel plans, and any shopping. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I have taken a 200 college-level course prior to departure to Spain. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish as mch as I possibly could; in the classroom, with my host family, and I met local friends to practice it. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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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 definitely believe that a student who is open minded and ready for adventure would benefit the most from this program. I would advise people to not to focus too much on partying and more on traveling. I woke up early almost every single weekend and was able to travel to a new town. I got to see more in one semester than I have ever seen and learned a lot of new things about myself that I has molded me into a new person. |
