Barcelona Past Review
By Zoe H (Finance and Financial Management Services., University of Southern Maine) for
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
My study abroad experience was very worthwhile. Being in a foreign country with a different language really puts you outside your comfort zone and makes you more independent and confident.
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. |
The workload was surprisingly larger than I thought it would be. I didn't have any "busy work", but I had a few large group projects that were a ton of work. Despite this, I was never loaded down with homework. The grading system was very different than at home - I still haven't gotten ANY grades back. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The advisors in Barcelona were great and they hosted a bunch of different and interesting activities for us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Barcelona is said to have the worst food in Spain, but there are a few REALLY delicious places to eat. Bo da B - a really cheap sandwich and salad place right off Passeig de Gracia, Hacienda - the best Mexican food with good prices between Barceloneta and Jaume I |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program arranged some really nice trips including Monserrat, Tarragona and Madrid. They also put together a delicious thanksgiving dinner for us at a really nice restaurant. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Men in Barcelona are very creepy and I would advise girls against going places by themselves after dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke English, but I still used Spanish every day. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Business |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Jorge Mongay |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I loved this course. It was a good amount of work at times, but never too much and it was very interesting. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
