I Am Coming Back! Past Review
By Jessica Lopez (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/31/2018 to 12/19/2018 with
AIFS: Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma Barcelona
I was able to learn about the social and political issues occurring in Spain and I was able to better understand the different cultures abroad. I gained a lot of independence and learned a lot about myself.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Loved all my professors. They helped a lot with the integration to the city and helped many adjust. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the ladies were amazing and they really want to make sure you are comfortable while abroad. They were like our moms and made Barcelona feel like home! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I wish we were placed closer to others in our program |
| * Food: |
Food was a bit touristy, but the traditional tapas are amazing! Everyone would love patatas bravas! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very easy to integrate, you just have to be outgoing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Barcelona is a big pickpocket city, so just be careful and be smart. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Compared to other students there from the States, AIFS seemed the most organized from providing the option to book our flights, to excursions, and providing me with a family away from home. |
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 wanted to do everything so money was a bit hard to budget |
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 |
They encouraged us to at least try Spanish and offered us a Catalan mini course. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPA 210 |
| 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? | Just try it out. Practice makes perfect. And the locals will appreciate the effort. |
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? | Take every opportunity. |
