Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Picked ASA Randomly, So SO Grateful that I did! Past Review

By (University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 04/26/2018 with

Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES YES YES! You grow so much as a person. Moving and traveling is so empowering, everyone should do it if they can.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were more hands on than in the US. Focused on learning and exposure as opposed to memorizing facts and taking a test.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

amazing!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was adorable and beautiful, but always remember the buildings in Europe are much older and things break more often! We were able to get things fixed pretty quickly.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

ASA does an incredible job of giving volunteer opportunities to really engage with locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had an allergic reaction to bug bites I got while hiking, and the program sent me to the emergency clinic right away with a translator. I even preferred it to the hospitals in the US

* Safety:

Petty theft is a serious problem in Barcelona, nothing to do with ASA. Thankfully they warned us to no end at the beginning, and we were prepared. Sadly its just unavoidable.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I had no idea who to pick out of all the providers at my school, and chose ASA randomly. I am SO SO glad that I did, it made my experience so much better than most people's in Barcelona.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I don't know about each week, I spent about $9K total.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't worry about it while you are abroad. You'll figure it out, you'll survive. Don't worry about money while you are there! Save up as much as you can and then just enjoy the experience once you are there.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Small program
  • So much support when abroad
* What could be improved?
  • Can't think of anything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much better my time was going to be thanks to ASA

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.