Pitt Global Experiences

Rachel Turkington, ISA: Granada Spring 2025

Advice for ISA Granada:

1. Think about what size of program and kind of city you want. Granada is a smaller city, and ISA Granada is a smaller program (about 30 people). I loved this size because our program group was very close, and we all knew each other and hung out as a group. In addition, I could walk anywhere I needed to go in my host city (however, there is a super easy and reliable bus system), and all of my typical stomping grounds were within a 25-minute walking radius. I also loved that Granada was great for outdoor lovers. In Granada, you can ski in the Sierra Nevada, swim in the Mediterranean Sea with just an hour bus ride, and hike the trails around the city outskirts. Hiking was my favorite as I could walk from my apartment, through the grounds of the Alhambra, and get to a trailhead with amazing views of the mountains.
2. Take advantage of everything your city and program have to offer. The ISA Granada office staff run activities and tours every week throughout the semester. They are very knowledgeable about the city and are committed to creating activities tailored to what the group for that semester is interested in.
3. Consider an additional component to study abroad, like an internship, service-learning placement, or language intensive. I completed both a service-learning program and a language intensive to maximize my time spent abroad. While there is additional work with the service-learning placement, I was able to build relationships with community members and learn about local efforts helping vulnerable populations. ISA also has an optional language intensive in the Granada program that I would recommend if you can. Not only was I able to move up one level in Spanish after the intensive month, but I felt closer to the people in my program having not come later in the semester.

Advice for Study Abroad in General:

4. Travel while you have so many amazing places so close by. During my semester, I spent about 60% of the weekends traveling and the rest of the time I stayed in my host city. For me, this felt like the perfect split as I knew my host city very well, but I also felt like I maximized my time in Europe. While Granada has an airport, most people take the bus and fly out of Malaga for more offerings and cheaper flights.
5. Learn the language! Even if it is at a beginner level, immersing yourself can go a long way with locals. Whether you take a class or learn it on your own, language is part of the culture, and making an effort to learn it makes you a more respectful visitor.
6. Say yes to things, even when you’re tired and want to stay home. The hardest part is sometimes getting out of the house, but you may make your best memories.
7. Be willing to prioritize the experiences you want to have during your time abroad, even if you have to do it alone. This is a time of growth and independence as much as it is about having fun with friends. So if you want to do something, make it happen!
8. Think about why you want to study abroad and what you hope to gain from the experience. This will not only help you pick a program, but being honest with yourself about your priorities will help you best meet and manage your expectations.
9. Remember this experience is about learning, both in and out of the classroom. Embrace learning about the city, culture, and about yourself.
10. Wondering what to pack? Honestly, whatever you are thinking will probably work, but consider your climate and dress a bit nicer than you would in the States (no PJs to class). But, my best pre-departure purchases were a travel backpack (suitable for low-fare airlines like Ryanair’s personal item dimensions) and a quick-dry foldable towel. This was perfect for the beach, hostels, picnics, etc., and took up almost no space in my luggage. I also purchased an eSIM for my phone right before I left using the app NOMAD. It was relatively cheap and easy to use, and it had tons of countries and regions to choose from.
11. Embrace what a privilege it is to see such amazing countries, landmarks, and cities! Be present and have fun!