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Eager to experience Spain through the eyes and ears of an AIFS Abroad participant? We recently caught up with Deme from St. John Fisher University, who studied abroad in the Andalusian city of Granada during the spring semester.
Discover how Deme’s experience as an AIFS Abroad student in Granada helped her expand her cultural horizons and grow both personally and academically!
If you’ve made the exciting decision to study abroad, congratulations! Now comes the question: “Where should I go?” AIFS Abroad gives you access to dozens of incredible cities around the world, making it exciting—but sometimes tough—to choose just one. If you’re like Deme, a range of factors can help you decide where to study abroad:
“I chose Granada because I wanted to challenge myself in a country where I did not speak the language. The big cities like Madrid and Barcelona intimidated me coming from a small town. I was entranced by the Andalusian culture of Flamenco dancing, free Tapas, bullfighting, and Moorish architecture. Granada is one of the ‘sunniest cities in Europe,’ it’s in the mountains for those who like skiing, hiking, or other outdoor activities, and a quick bus ride to the ocean for people who like the beach. Granada is close to Morocco, Africa, and I was able to travel cheaply most weekends to other countries in Europe. Granada is also a big university city, super social, and there were students everywhere. I always felt safe walking the streets in Granada]… I would recommend Granada to anyone who likes outdoor sports, loves the sunshine, wants to speak Spanish, or prefers to live in a small city.”
Academics Abroad
Students often choose to study abroad to immerse themselves in a new culture and travel the world. But, of course, there’s also your academic experience to think about! Rest assured, wherever you go with AIFS Abroad, you’ll be at a trusted local institution where you can advance your academic knowledge. Hear Deme discuss her classes in Granada:
“Although I studied at the University of Granada, all my classes were with Americans and international students. This was a relief because everyone was the same level of Spanish. The best way [to meet local students] was through intercambio nights which were language exchange nights… and doing community service.
My class sizes were about 10 to 25 people which made it easy to [get to] know the professor. Most of my classes were with other Americans but I made a few Japanese friends.”
Language Learning
Language proficiency is not required for the majority of our programs; however, as Deme discovered, a little bit of language knowledge can go a long way:
“Similar to most students [who study abroad in] Spain, I studied Spanish [throughout] high school but was not confident in my abilities and forgot a lot of it. I was super nervous about the language barrier and opted to do the early start option which was a month of practice before the semester started.
Knowing Spanish for the homestay was very helpful because my host mom knew zero English. My host mom was very patient with me and the fact that she knew no English was OK because it forced me to practice what I learned in my classes. I think the homestay is essential for any students who truly want to immerse themselves in the language.”
Housing
Housing is included on all AIFS Abroad programs. For some programs, like Deme’s, we offer multiple options for you to choose from, including homestays and shared apartments. As Deme explains, she chose the homestay:
“For my accommodations, I chose the homestay. I loved the location! I have friends in other study abroad companies where their homestay is a 1-hour commute to class. AIFS Abroad always chooses great locations for their students. My host mom was very open-minded and progressive with modern day issues. Sometimes it was hard to understand each other in Spanish, but she sat with us for one meal a day and would talk so I could practice.”
As Deme explains, all AIFS Abroad housing is conveniently located near your academic institution, often near the city center.
Weekend Trips
When you study abroad, the time outside of your classes is yours. So, if you’re like many AIFS Abroad students, you can choose this time to travel to your heart’s delight. For Deme, this meant traveling to 14 different countries, made all the easier thanks to her awesome class schedule that gave her Fridays off! Here’s what Deme had to say about her weekend trips:
“I took so many memorable weekend trips! I loved Italy. I went to the Amalfi Coast and also Cinque Terre because it is so beautiful by the water. I also visited my friend who was studying abroad in Rome. I loved the history, architecture, and little easter eggs everywhere.
Croatia was a highlight in my mind. We flew into Split and flew out of Zagreb. In between we stopped at Plitvice Lakes National Park for a day trip and the nature was unreal. There were so many waterfalls everywhere. It was nice to see nature after all the European cities.
Poland stands out in my mind for its history and my heritage. I am Polish so it was cool to see where my family came from and imagine what life was like during World War II. Edinburgh and Prague stand out for the best architecture. The buildings there are so cool and unique compared to any city in Europe.
Morocco (with AIFS Abroad) was great for the mint tea and the food. Also, because the culture was different from anything I had ever experienced in my life.”
Personal Growth
Study abroad students and international interns frequently report life-changing experiences that change their worldview and positively impact their futures. As Deme explains:
“I experienced so much growth by [going] abroad. I came from a small town in Upstate NY, so coming to Europe was the first time I experienced public transport, a different language, new friends, and city life in general. Coming from the USA, which is so car-centric, public transport was a new concept for me. However, I came to love that in the city, you can walk or take public transport everywhere. It’s actually super freeing. I didn’t realize it’s normal in the cities for the grocery store to be a 5-minute walk as opposed to a 30-minute drive back home.
I also learned how to meet people and exchange cultures. I found the locals appreciated it so much if you tried to speak their language and learn about their culture. They were so welcoming. I have a newfound empathy now for any travelers coming to the States and speaking English that I would not have had if I hadn’t studied abroad.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
Our housing options, immersive programs, and on-site support staff are just a few reasons why students choose AIFS Abroad and are so happy with their decision. Hear why Deme chose us for her semester abroad:
“The main reason I chose AIFS Abroad was because I was super nervous about the language barrier before going to Spain. I had taken Spanish classes in high school, but it had been a few years, and I was not confident in my abilities. AIFS had an optional early start to refresh my Spanish before the real semester started. I also chose AIFS because I wanted a full immersion experience in a culture that spoke a different language. Granada offered a community service component, and the homestay gave me opportunities to practice the language beyond just my classes.”
Advice for Future Study Abroad Students
For anyone considering studying abroad in the future, Deme leaves you with the following advice:
“You may be scared to move to an entirely different country away from your home and all your friends. I was, too. But studying abroad might possibly be the best experience of your life. While in Europe, I visited 14 different countries. Each one felt like 14 different worlds with their own unique languages, histories, foods, cultures, people, and architecture.
Despite worrying about the language barrier before I left, 95% of people spoke English as their second language and were completely fluent! I went alone without any of my friends from home. My worst fear was being alone, yet I made too many friends to count. Don’t get me wrong, there were times when it was tough, and times when I felt alone. But the memories and photos I have make all of the struggles so worth it.
The amount of growth you experience by living in a different country is astronomical. You will be ahead of your peers back at home in so many ways. You will be ahead in terms of maturity, in terms of career, and in terms of empathy for others. If I could study abroad a second time and a third time, I would do it.
So future student, I know you might be scared, but muster up your courage, and be prepared, because you might just have the best time of your entire life. And you might just find yourself not wanting to go home.”
Are you a student who’s ready to take the leap and study abroad like Deme did in Granada with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.