Best Semester of my Life Past Review
By Taylor L (Business, Boise State University) - abroad from 01/07/2018 to 04/27/2018 with
AIFS: Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma Barcelona
Studying abroad was an extremely worthwhile experience that is so worth all of the work the get there. It teaches you to be independent, confident, and have a worldlier view on life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
AIFS students study at one of two well known international universities which offer a wide range of course in English and Spanish. The professors are all amazing and friendly. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration in Barcelona was so friendly and helpful. They were there to help from start to finish and made sure to go out of their way to make sure all AIFS students were comfortable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment living accommodations were very nice and all of them were in excellent and safe locations. My only complain is that all AIFS students seemed to be spread out throughout the city which made it more difficult to meet other students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This part is pretty much up to the student with how much they want to get involved with the locals and culture. AIFS does offer quite a few opportunities to make this easier for students if they wish. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
If you got sick or had any emergencies AIFS staff would assist you to the hospital or doctors office and help you with anything you needed. I felt very taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
Barcelona is an extremely safe and amazing city! I never once felt unsafe even as a tourist walking alone. Pick pocketing can be a problem but only if you are unaware of your surroundings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
AIFS provided me with everything I needed from start to finish to have a successful semester abroad. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I spent about $100 a week on food and personal expenses if I was not traveling that weekend. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving early! Budget for more money than you think you will need. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I took an intensive Spanish course and pushed myself to practice when possible. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 3 (highschool) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice, practice, practice! Don't be embarrassed to try, the host country will be grateful you are trying and not just expecting them to know your language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
