Barcelona is the best city in the world Past Review
By Xenia Vidal (Mount St. Mary's University, Maryland) - abroad from 09/12/2017 to 05/09/2018 with
AIFS: Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma Barcelona
Another great thing to add, at the beginning of the semester they hosted Catalan classes! This I have found helpful to this day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I studied abroad in Barcelona Spain through AIFS for the academic year. It was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend to anyone. I definitely got my money's worth and the home stay they paired me with was amazing. While abroad a tore my meniscus and was sent to several appointments at the local hospital. This may have been intimidating if I was by myself. But the AIFS local barcelona staff accompanied me each time and acted as both both translators and just generally good company during the very stressful experience of being in the hospital in another country. The staff also gives tours of the city and available 24/7 for any questions and concerns during my year abroad. I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Barcelona and account most of that amazing experience to the AIFS staff. |
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) |
Barcelona is very difficult place to answer that question efficetnly. I would spend roughly around €5 a day or a lunch. But I also didn't have to buy dinner because I was in a homestay. Additionally it is studying abroad has other additional expenses such as travel costs therefore that would distort my answer. If you've just plan on staying in Barcelona then $200 a week should be more than enough. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
That is probably my only problem with this program. I wish Spanish was incorporated more into the curriculum. No student was expected to learn or speak Spanish at anytime. Which just seemed kind of a loss. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I can't emphasize enough how important your language skills will improve if you live in a homestay. Also if you can take all of your classes in the native language of that country. Additionally find local friends. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the students in university are not local Spanish students. They are students from all over the world. |
