Architecture Study Abroad Programs in Granada, Spain

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.

Being on this program has really changed me as a person. As a result of studying abroad in this dream location, I was able to experience many different types of environments in one location! From the mountains, to the beaches, to the many plazas and cultural festivities, I was happily immersed in my host city. Barcelona is such an amazing location to study abroad and I would highly recommend doing it with IES Abroad. They made sure from pre-departure to the last day in my host city, that all students were informed and prepared for anything. The staff were extremely helpful, welcoming and always open to sharing their favorite recommendable local gems for students to visit! IES helped students get on their feet and understand how and what types of things they could get themselves immersed in. Whether that was introducing us to tapas, encouraging us to take free dance classes, planning brunch at a beach restaurant, planning hikes, and taking us on trips to other cities outside of Catalonia such as Madrid, IES ensured that we were able to take advantage of such offered opportunities all while preparing us to create our own memories with our own desires to visit other destinations. For housing, I lived in a homestay with a very welcoming woman and other study abroad students from my program. Each night we all had dinner and talked about the upcoming weekend and things happening in the city, all in Spanish! She was always there to help us with any concerns we had regarding where to go, what to see, and how to get there in the best way. She encouraged us to hang out with friends and explore the city and its amazing culture! For classes, we had a good variety of options. We also had the option to take courses at a local university, which I took advantage of. I took some of my classes at and extension of UAB. By doing this, I was able to be in another neighborhood for classes, take the metro to class and really understand how to get in and around Barcelona. Unfortunately, my classes did not have local university students but it was still a valuable chance to get outside of the program classes.

I studied abroad this Fall in Granada with IES Abroad and loved every minute of it. The IES staff was very supportive and helped ease the stress of being in a new country and genuinely cared about getting to know each one of us. Granada was an amazing location as well. Super affordable yet also a ton to do. The classes I took were unique and engaging and I learned a ton while also improving my Spanish. Would 100% recommend studying abroad in Spain with IES and hope you have as wonderful of an experience as I did abroad! It will change your life!

My experience of studying abroad was amazing! My most memorable experiences were the following; the relationship I built with several professors, traveling and the experience. I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of 7. I remember going through massive cultural shock when I first came to the U.S. Not only was I in a new country where I did not speak the same language as the rest but I also missed my friends and teachers. Studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country really hit home. Having the opportunity to attend classes in Spanish and growing a relationship with the professors was such an amazing experience. It felt like I was back in Mexico learning and speaking in Spanish. Traveling around Europe has always been one of my dreams and IES Abroad Salamanca made that possible by providing us with the right information about where to travel and the time. Overall the experience was amazing if I was able to do it again I would.

I initially chose to study abroad in Barcelona to improve my Spanish, but I got this and so much more out of my experience. I grew so much as a person while I was there and now I feel truly independent and cable traveling, speaking Spanish, and taking advantage of every opportunity. Every time you turn a corner in this beautiful city, there is something spectacular to look at or something exciting to do. IES helped to guide my experience and you can use their resources as much or as little as you prefer! I recommend going on as many of the IES Discover programs as possible because they find the best guides and activities as a discounted price. I would not change a thing about my experience abroad and that is largely thanks to the guidance of the IES Abroad teachers and staff.

I appreciate the independence that I gained for myself while I was abroad and continue to show after my experience. Granada gave me safe streets to walk by myself any day of the week and delicious pastry shops to stroll by on every corner. It was exactly the place I needed to get to know better and feel at home by the end of my four months. I am already excited to return one day and re-walk my route to school every morning and pass the man that feeds the pigeons every Sunday afternoon because the city is just a reflection of the wonderful people that fill the city of Granada.

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 loved studying abroad in Madrid, on my program the classes were all in Spanish and it truly gave me a chance to fully immerse myself in the language. At first I was a little nervous to take all my classes in Spanish in Spain but after the first week I felt very comfortable and it really did help my language skills! IES offers so many opportunities so you really feel like you are living in Madrid and not just on a study abroad course. During orientation there were walking tours throughout the city, in order to familiarize us with where we were going to be living for the next semester! And then, throughout the semester we could explore on our own or there were walking tours with Spanish peers. One of my favorite activities to do while abroad was just to walk around the small neighborhoods, and without all the tourist attractions and really get a sense of the environment and culture.

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!

Being abroad by yourself when you are only 19 years old can sometimes seem scary, but trust me it is an experience you won't want to miss. Not only did I learn so much about Spain and Spanish culture, I also learned more about myself and grew as a person. I became more responsible, more independent and most importantly more aware about the world we live in. Salamanca is a beautiful college town, with a university that is over 800 years old! The most pure and traditional Spanish is spoken there and I found myself almost fluent when I left. IES included a trip to Portugal as well which was amazing! All in all, a 10/10 experience and would highly recommend!

One frequently overlooked part of the study abroad program selection process is considering the environment you'll be living in. There are factors like city size, proximity to airports and attractions, rural vs. urban, etc., but you can find them in a guidebook. My favorite part of Granada was the overarching "feel" of the city--the old architecture, Moorish flare, cobblestone streets, and hidden plazas. But beyond the aesthetics, I loved Granada because they truly embrace the low-key and down to earth Spanish lifestyle. I saw going abroad as my opportunity to take a break from extracurriculars and intense academics so that I could focus on my language and personal development. I didn’t want to slack off while abroad, but I definitely wanted a change of pace. As we all know, cultural immersion is a significant part of any study abroad experience; it pleasantly happens that “immersing” yourself in Andalusian culture means taking long siestas, going out for second breakfasts, and stopping for tapas with friends on your way home on the daily. My host mom would constantly encourage us to take advantage of the relaxed and social attitude of the city. Compared to my upbringing and college experience, this was all new. I loved the attitude of the city, the friendliness of the people, and the mellow pace of the streets. As IES can tell you on their website (and I can confirm), the program provides you with everything you need to thrive abroad. With all the support systems in place, you're left to enjoy and experience the wonderful city of Granada!

During my time studying at IES Abroad in Barcelona, I was privileged to have a once in a life time experience. I was able to meet new people, travel to so many new places, and immerse myself in new cultures. I was able to gain so much more independence and become a more self-reliant person. Not only was this time in my life the most fun and exciting, but it was also a time for educational growth. The classes I took at IES were manageable, but very educational. My teachers were also wonderful and set up the classes in a way that was easy to learn. Although I was able to travel to many other wonderful countries in Europe, I am so grateful to have picked Spain, as it was the perfect place. There is so much to do and so many beautiful places to see. Even though my apartment was one of the further ones from the IES building, I ended up living directly across the street from Camp Nou, the football stadium, which was amazing! Some of my other favorite places in Barcelona are the beach and Bunkers del Carmel where you can get a beautiful view of the whole city!