AIFS Abroad in Granada, Spain: Semester

I had a horrible experience with my host mom. Such a hostile environment. And then AIFS didn’t help throughout or after. I wish I would’ve avoided this program if it was going to be like this because it really did mask my overall experience.

I participated in the AIFS Granada program for the Spring Semester of 2023 and I had an amazing experience. The onsite staff were extremely accommodating and were ready and available to help us with anything we needed. The cultural activities were amazing for both learning about the rich culture of Spain as well as bonding with the other students in my program. Also, Granada is a small, walkable city near the beach and mountains, so there is truly something for everyone there. Through this program, I was able to make lifelong friendships, improve my Spanish language skills, and learn so much history and culture.

I wished that my semester-long study abroad experience in Granada had been a year, but I had to get back to continue my "real" studies in my university (Psychology and Philosophy). The memories I made at the Universidad de Granada will last a lifetime, and the friends I made in the community I will keep close in my heart. The schooling was amazing, and I really enjoyed my classes that I was able to take in Spanish after having moved up a level. My background when I got there was one semester of Spanish at the College of William and Mary. The classes at the Universidad de Granada are super approachable and the professors super nice and helpful. I loved my class on Spanish art and architecture the most. My AIFS community helped me throughout this whole process, and I knew if I was having trouble getting adapted on my own that I could reach out to them at any point. I went to my director, Noelia, for relationship advice a few times. My living situation ended up being good overall, but that part could have been better. I did not get to do much with my host family, which was a disappointment. Thankfully, I met great people in the community where I learned how to play Spikeball, dance Salsa and Bachata, and play Ultimate frisbee a little differently than in the states. I have carried these experiences with me this past year. I wish to go back to experience anew the amazing scenery that the Alhambra had to offer, as well as the beaches which made for perfect day trips. The transportation system was also a highlight because I was able to take big Alsa buses to and from the beaches, as well as bla bla cars everywhere!

Everything about my time abroad was perfect! My host mom was the sweetest and was really invested in helping me learn the language. I got to try a ton of new foods and learn all about Spanish and Andalucían culture from my program activities and classes. The immersive classes I took at the CLM helped me improve my comprehension and speaking skills tremendously. I was also able to go to Seville, Córdoba, Morocco, and Nerja through AIFS, which were all such amazing experiences. I would give anything to go back and do it again!

I studied abroad in Granada for the Fall semester of my junior year at the University of Vermont. This experience was without a doubt one of the most enriching experiences of my life. AIFS not only made the onboarding process very easy, but they offered an extensive number of opportunities to explore and gain community while I was there. From beautiful views and incredible food and culture, to engaging coursework and incredible classmates, my study abroad experience with AIFS will forever be one of the most special experiences of my lie. I was lucky enough to study abroad twice my junior year (each with a different program) and without a doubt the organization and commitment to students was far more impressive and helpful through AIFS. Thank you so much, AIFS!

I participated in the Spring 2023 program in Granada, Spain and I had the best time! AIFS was great about planning trips and cultural activities so we could learn more about Granada and other parts of Spain & North Africa! Classes were challenging and I learned a lot, but the workload was not heavy meaning I still had lots of time to explore the city after classes and travel on the weekends. The apartment that I lived in did not have the greatest amenities and we often were without hot water but that did not take away much from how great the experience was. If you are looking to study abroad in Spain, definitely consider Granada!

What can I say about my time abroad in Granada, Spain? It was truly such a unique and unforgettable experience. The culture, the history, the city, the people, the food especially. I feel so blessed to be able to have such an opportunity. I've always wanted to visit Europe but I couldn't quite decide where exactly I wanted to go. It wasn't until after my parents came back from a trip to Spain that they told me that going there would be a perfect choice. I'm glad I did take that opportunity. Living and studying in Spain was different than in the United States. It took a while to get adjusted to the different culture and lifestyle but I believe I got the hang of it pretty quick. I chose to live with a family and they were incredibly sweet. We've always talked about our day and they often asked me about my life in the US. Our resident director, Noelia, was super helpful and engaging. I appreciate her always checking in on us and trying to come up with different activities we can do while we were in Granada, especially after the height of the pandemic. The University of Granada, where I was studying while abroad, was an incredible school. The classes are very different than how they are in the United States. They're much longer and usually you'll only have two classes a day. But I think it helped both the students and the professors because it allowed us to discuss more on the topics that we were learning and ask them any questions we may have. I appreciate AIFS assisting me with whatever need or question that I may have so that the process went smoothly. That way the only thing I had to worry about was planning my next trip to another city in Spain.

As a black male outside of America for the first time Granada Spain has my heart. This is such a young and lively city with tons of history and culture. Studying abroad as a first generation college student also changed my perspective on schooling and even life as a whole. This was an opportunity for me to create a name for myself and be the trail blazer of my future as well as my families. One thing that I loved most about studying abroad was staying in a home-stay, this experience allowed me to have a hands on experience when learning Spanish. For more information click the link to watch a short video of me talking about my experience abroad.

I studied in Granada in Spring 2019. AIFS was very supportive on the pre-departure side, in country, and even after I got back with the alumni resources on their website! From other people I talked to, the AIFS staff in Granada really set my program apart. They learned all 60 of our names, did their best to get to know us personally, and went above and beyond to plan programs like casual futbol games for bonding. When I hurt my foot, one of the staff members went to the doctor with me, which made it a lot less intimidating. AIFS travel and health insurance covered the doctor visit, too! I also lived with a host family, which really helped me build fluency in Spanish and adjust to the culture! The only reason you shouldn’t live with a host family is if you have strict dietary needs or like to cook your own food. However, I’m lactose intolerant and my host family was super accommodating; they even bought dairy-free cheese and cream so they could make me personal pizzas and fettuccine alfredo! They helped me figure out where to shop, where to travel, and what to do for fun in Granada. I still WhatsApp them sometimes and they told me I’m welcome to stay with them any time! The academics on my program were also a great experience. I worked closely with my school to make sure everything would transfer before I went, and I left the U.S. as a Spanish minor and came back as a Spanish major because I’m only two classes away from the major after studying abroad! Classes were available in English and Spanish, and level was determined by a placement test that I took my first few days there. I also did an internship teaching English in a school in Granada! That was an awesome practical experience and I made friends with some of the other student teachers who were from Spain. I would definitely study abroad with AIFS again!

The reason I chose to study abroad was to accomplish two key goals; to speak fluent Spanish and be able to travel on my own. The AIFS Granada Program provided me with all of the resources and freedom that I needed to achieve those goals. With their support, I was able to immerse myself in the Spanish culture and take advantage of opportunities within and outside of my host city. From school to living with a host family to volunteer opportunities and weekend excursions, my time in Spain was full of new experiences that have taught me so much about the world and about myself. Choosing to study abroad in Granada, Spain with AIFS was the best decision I’ve ever made and provided me with the opportunities that I hope every student will get to take advantage of.

Granada, Spain is the best location to study abroad and going with AIFS is the best way to do it. The help that you have in the city is unbeatable. From being able to go to the staff members for cultural questions, restaurant recommendations, or help with the language, they are always there for you. They were always so willing to help and they made my experience what it was. Also, the optional excursions are amazing. Being able to go to Morocco with a guide and my friends was something that I wouldn't have been able to do without this program. Also, my host family made everything feel comfortable and they treated me like I was their own. They helped me feel like a local and I'm so glad I chose to stay with a family. They also cook the best local food! Overall, this program was amazing and AIFS does a great job.

I would recommend this program to anyone! The city is rich with culture, history, and language. The program had amazing staff on site and led very informational excursions. I learned a lot about Granada from them! I lived in a host home and my family was amazing. My family was very kind and caring; they took care of me when I was sick, helped me with my Spanish, and were a family for me in Spain. I took all my courses in Spanish, and it seemed intimidating but it wasn't. My classes were a lot less difficult than I expected and I did really well in my courses. There was always something to do in Granada, from free tapas to hikes with some great views of the city, and the Alhambra in your backyard. I loved Granada and it will always hold a special place in my heart!

My main objective while in Spain was to literally become a local. I took on their lifestyle, habits, and customs. I learned a different view of the world through beautiful Spanish. Aside from English, the Spanish language gave me possibilities of communicating with millions of other people on this planet. They say that someone can find themselves while studying abroad, but first they need to become lost. Possibly the best part of the entire adventure was losing myself in learning the language. This challenge left me to find my desires and interests through the set of vocabulary I had wanted to learn and become part of. Not to mention, during this self-discovery, I made lifelong friends from another country that spoke only their native language. If you had to ask me if I would go back, I would be there already if I could.

If there’s one thing I can say about the six months I spent in Granada, it’s that even with half a year ahead of you, you never have enough time. That’s probably my only regret being abroad: I allowed myself to become comfortable in my routines and kept saying “oh, whatever it is, I have time to do it later”. AIFS is an amazing program, and I’m glad I chose them for my semester abroad. The flight package is honestly what sold me - it really took away a lot of the stress and pressure of trying to find tickets at an affordable price, and gave me the chance to visit London before we arrived in Spain. Another reason I chose to go to Granada was because of the internship component offered, as well as chances to volunteer in the city and go on excursions throughout Spain. This takes me back to my earlier point, though: when there’s so much to do, you can’t keep telling yourself you’ll have time to do it later. The couple of times I skipped on a walking tour, or stayed in my room when my friends went out, I never got that opportunity back. The amazing thing about a trip with AIFS is how many chances they give you to take it all in. The best thing you can do is take every single one, because 6 months later, at the end of the program, you’re going to be so grateful for every second you spent in Granada.

I am so glad i decided to study abroad with AIFS because it provided me with an itinerary, flight plan, cultural excursions, housing and steps to help me with the immersion into my country. Edu and Noelia, the AIFS onsite directors, were such a huge help to each student and accessible whenever we needed anything. Aside from the schedule provided by AIFS, there was still a sense of freedom to make our experience what we wanted. I lived with a homestay, travelled on my own during breaks, volunteered with a choir for the homeless, and much more. I recommend AIFS for anyone who desires that structure if you haven't lived abroad before.

I went to Granada, Spain in the Fall of 2015. The whole experience with AIFS was very smooth from the pick up at the airport to the cultural excursions included in their study abroad programs. I was so grateful that I always knew AIFS was there to offer a guiding hand but also left room for students to be independent. I loved the homestay that AIFS put me in. The girls I roomed with are some of my best friends now and I still keep in contact with my host mom because we ended up becoming very close. I try to relive my study abroad experience every day and it truly is the opportunity of a lifetime! I encourage other students to go abroad and try to help them with the process on my campus now because I don't want anyone to miss out on this opportunity!

The AIFS program in Granada, has been the best. Everything was well set up and honestly Granada was the best choice. It is such a beautiful place and having the AIFS staff show us around and be informative about places to visit really helps the experience. Classes are not very difficult however, some studying needs to get done in order to achieve the academic goal. AIFS staff and students both really make the experience amazing.

Opening your eyes to world can not be experience until you get out of your comfort zone and experience it. AIFS has allows me to have some of greatest experience with some of the greatest friends. I´ve met people of different cultures and places and we´ve explored many places together. The experience I´ve had will stick with me for the rest of my life. The experience surpassed and expectation I had made before embarking on my trip. I´m truly appreciative for the experience AIFS has offered me.

Studying abroad with AIFS changed just about everything in my life - and that is no exaggeration. My academic interests went from math/science to languages. My friends went from local to international. My work went from local education to international education. Even my interaction with my family members went from mono-lingual to multi-lingual (my father ended up marrying a Spanish-speaking woman). When you leave the world you were brought up in, you discover the world you ACTUALLY prefer. You learn that you have the power to choose what your life entails. You start deciding what you do, who you do it with, and why you do it. You are no longer following the path that was created for you at birth. You create your truly unique path. AIFS gave me exactly what I needed to learn this lesson. They are a fabulously passionate and organized organization. They offer clear, concise programs that offer enough support for stability, yet enough freedom for self-exploration. I really did not have one complaint from my semester in Spain. I am forever grateful and I hope that you pursue this program. Again, it will change your life. With love, Courtney Johnson, AIFS Returnee, January 08'

I've been abroad several times for vacation but complete immersion in a country where I barely speak the language is very different. I'm learning so much more about culture in my homestay! The administration directors make Spanish in another country easy.