Study Abroad Options-- IES/ISA?

[yallo]

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hey--

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with study abroad programs through IES or ISA?? I want to go to Spain in the Spring, but my university's program is Spanish-only and comes back in late June, a bit too late for me. I don't get to keep all of my scholarship at either, but I'll get to apply ~$3k of it. I'm looking at these two programs primarily:

IES, Granada: https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Spain/Granada/granada.html Can apply for scholarships (up to $3K), ~$12K w/o extra scholarships
Have the option of a dorm

ISA, Sevilla: http://www.studiesabroad.com/programs/country/spain/city/sevilla/duration/19/program/108/session/ISVW2408 ~$7K can't apply for scholarships
Get placed wherever you get placed (homestay most common)

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the study abroad companies and if anyone had any experience with homestays... should I avoid them?? Is the extra money of IES worth it??

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[medschool2008]

i just got back from a semester in sevilla with ciee. i loved it. the staff was very helpful and my host family was very nice. if you want to learn spanish, i definitely recommend staying with a family. you learn more about how people live/think this way (plus, this will give you more to talk about in essays/interviews). they have programs ranging from business to pure spanish. but if you do choose ciee in sevilla, try to study at either the universidad de sevilla or pablo de olavide instead of any 'study centers' because you will be surrounded only by american students.

seville is a very good city to study in because it has the perfect size (3rd/4th biggest in spain) - not too small that you won't have fun, but not too big that you'll be able to get around speaking english. people there love their city, which is fun. granada is more hippy and muslim influenced, if you want that.

either way, i definitely recommend studying abroad in spain. PM me if you want more information.

 

[Picklesali]

I studied in Paris with ISA and it was great. I have a friend who went to Sevilla with ISA and she also really enjoyed it. The homestay can be one of the best parts of the experience - but it is really hit or miss sometimes. Some families are really great and will try very hard to be an active part of your life and your language acquisition process, but others....not so much. Either way - I think it's MUCH better than the alternative. (I had friends who stayed in dorms in Paris and hated it!)