From the beginning of my endeavor investigating potential study abroad locations, I had a feeling Granada was likely where I would end up going. Nonetheless, I made myself keep an open mind and dove into the most fun research project I have ever carried out: Where in the World do I Want to Spend My Spring of 2022?

I spent several months going through the list of more than eighty potential programs and making pros and cons lists. As the analytical person I am, I didn’t want this to be a gut decision though in the end I guess it could have been with the same result! Learning about different cities and countries around the world was far from a waste of time, however, and now I can concretely say what brought me to Granada. Among many reasons, here are a few:

• Language I wanted to be able to speak the language of the local people, because I thought that it would make my integration into the location, culture, and social scene much easier, and I would have a more authentic experience of the location. I have been speaking a relatively low level of Spanish from a young age so even better than going to an English-speaking location would be to go somewhere where I could develop language skills on top of all the other skills I gain from classes and living in a new location.
• Weather It was the midst of winter in Washington when I was making my decision about where to study, and as a beach town girl I knew how much my mood was elevated by sun! So, after weighing the pros of more northern European locations, I steered clear of Scandinavia and other cold locations.
• Beauty This was an important one for me. Everyone I have talked to about Granada says that it is a beautiful city, and even if the dynamic landscape and ancient-looking stone buildings of Granada can’t satisfy one’s cravings for natural beauty, the Sierra Nevada mountains are a hop and a jump away from the city, easily accessible for hiking, biking, and skiing.
• Europe It goes without saying that I want my study abroad experience to be new in as many ways as possible. This meant that I was looking outside of central and south America because I had spent quite a bit of time in Latin American countries already. Europe was intriguing because of the ease of travel between countries (though now maybe not because of COVID) and Spain offered the language benefit as well as its central location.
• Size I wanted to experience city life, but I had also heard that some people had better experiences in smaller cities where they could really get to know their city by the end of their four months opposed to a very large city that would remain a mystery throughout their short time there. With a population of 230,000, Granada seemed like a perfect size with everything within walking distance but big enough to offer most of what someone would want from a bigger city. Additionally, much of the population is composed of young people attending the University of Granada which is one of the best in Spain. This creates an exciting and energetic atmosphere and means the city is accommodating to students.
• Money Spain, especially Granada, is a whole lot cheaper than some other places in Europe and I knew that choosing a location where things cost less meant more opportunities to travel and eat out. In Granada you get free tapas with EVERY drink that you buy. This means you can get a drink and some food (varying from an appetizer to a small meal depending on where you go) for as low as $2.50!

If you are planning on studying abroad, I hope that perhaps my reasons for studying in Granada gave you ideas of what to consider before making your own decision. If not, I hope you learned a little about Granada and perhaps why you might want to visit!