Granada: Best experience I have had so far in my life Past Review
By Marissa C (Physical Education Teaching and Coaching., Illinois State University) for
University of Granada: Granada - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think I became way more comfortable with myself. I have never been good at new situations or changes and after this experience, I have definitely grown in this area of my personality. I have such a greater appreciation and understanding for the world. I don't think anyone can really understand anything outside of their country unless they go and see it. Europe is 100% different than America, but it is so pretty and interesting.
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. |
Workload, grading system, and teachers were perfect. 99% of the work we did was in class and was very helpful to learning the language. I did have to study for mid-terms and finals, but they were much simpler than a mid-term or final in the U.S. Also, things we learned in class were very helpful when we weren't in the classroom as far as learning the language went. I learned the most in my classes and while talking with my host family. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We did not have a coordinator or a resource on site, and everyone else did. It was hard when we first got to Madrid and nobody was there for a while. We all were lost. Also, when there were problems or questions that came up, we had to email across the world, which was not helpful. I think it would have been helpful to have a coordinator or resource on site like all the other students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family. I don't think I could have imagined a better one. There were 2 parents, who got a long great and 2 sons (11 and 14 years old) who were the best kids ever. My roommate and I improved so much by hanging out and talking with the family. I cannot imagine my abroad experience without them. It definitely would not have been the same. we did not have to buy anything for living in the house-the family provided everything. We were treated like their daughters and I could not have felt more welcome in that house. I miss them a lot. |
| * Food: |
The food by the host family was usually pretty good. I obviously didn't love everything they put on my plate because it wasn't what I was used to, but it was all pretty good. As far as restaurants go, there are a lot of good places in town and I recommend trying a lot of different things-try paella! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved traveling. While you are there, spend the money and take the opportunity to go everywhere you want to go. Travel with your friends and have fun. You might never get to go back and especially while your at this age. Take advantage of everything you get to do and see and remember that anyone would die to be your position studying abroad. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe and never threatened. Just be smart and don't walk alone at 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? | I spent thousands more than the thousands I thought I was going to spend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be smart when you first get there. It's easy to get excited and spend a lot of money right off the bat. You will be there for a long time and you need to remember that. Also, try to eat with your host family as much as possible because when you travel, you will end up spending money on food and it adds up. I spent as much money as I did because I traveled almost every weekend, but I would it the same way if I could go back and do it again. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | a 200 Level latin American |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language all the time. I learned the absolute most while talking to my host family. They only talked Spanish to us so we were forced to learn and really try to say what we needed or wanted to say. I was way more comfortable speaking by the end of the semester than at the start. I also learned a lot by living in the city we did because very few people spoke English. If we went to a store or restaurant, we were forced to use our Spanish. It was a really cool experience. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | everyone should go. It was such a good experience that I am so thankful I got to experience. I am very grateful. |
