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A Day in the Olive Grove: La Samiaja Experience
Through La Samiaja, GRIIS students stepped into the rhythm of rural Andalusia to learn about olive oil, Mediterranean traditions, and sustainability. This immersive visit offered a firsthand look into ecological farming, local cuisine, and the values that define the Andalusian countryside.
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Three Students, One City: Granada from Every Angle
Every student who comes to Granada discovers a different version of the city. For some, it’s a place of quiet reflection. For others, it’s full of rhythm, history, and motion. In this post, we share three student-made videos that reveal how personal, diverse, and vivid the Granada experience can be.
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Art as Language: A Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Born from GRIIS
What began as a reunion between a teacher and a former GRIIS student has evolved into a pioneering classroom initiative at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas. In this article, Dr. Dolores Fernández (Professor at the CLM and Doctor in Spanish Language from the University of Granada) reflects on how art and education intertwine in the…
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GranadArte: Art, Language, and Laughter in Every Brushstroke
As part of her semester abroad with GRIIS, Alyssa Viets joined GranadArte, a relaxed extracurricular workshop led by a Fine Arts student from the University of Granada.
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From Granada to Groundbreaking Research: A Parent’s Perspective on Study Abroad
Professor José Luis Martínez reflects on the pivotal impact the GRIIS program had on his son’s academic and professional journey.
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From Admiration to Action: A Journey Through the Vowels of Learning
Every academic year at GRIIS begins not only with calendars and course plans, but with intention. In this welcoming reflection, Dr. Amalia Pulgarín (Academic Director and founder of the institute) explores the deeper structure that informs our programs: a philosophy of learning grounded in personal transformation, cultural engagement, and a profound commitment to growth.
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Cultivating the Garden Within: Learning Through Art, Fear, and Wonder
In this reflection, Miguel P. Viviani (doctoral candidate in Fine Arts at the University of Granada) invites us to walk the symbolic and emotional terrain of Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights.
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Crossing Borders: Reflections from Morocco
As part of the GRIIS program, students had the opportunity to travel to Morocco, a journey that went far beyond tourism. It became a formative experience, challenging perceptions and deepening understanding of cultural and historical ties between Spain, Morocco, and the students’ home countries. Through firsthand encounters, this trip became a lesson in global awareness,…
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Conscious Marketing Across Cultures: Interning at Atika Karam
For Ellen Garnett, a double major in PR/Marketing Communications and Spanish at Simmons College, studying abroad in Granada was more than a language experience. Her internship at Atika Karam, facilitated by GRIIS, allowed her to explore the intersection of health, culture, and international strategy.
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Beyond the Classroom: Lasting Impact of Study Abroad Experiences
A semester abroad can offer more than a temporary change of scenery—it can inspire lifelong connections, unexpected career paths, and a deeper sense of global citizenship. In this collection of reflections, three GRIIS alumni share how their time in Granada sparked new adventures and meaningful contributions long after their return home.