Pristine. Past Review
By Robert O (Politics, Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/07/0012 to 04/28/0012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Independence, and yes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
You learn more outside the classroom than in, which essentially is the point of studying abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a family who speak no English is difficult at times. |
| * Food: |
Spanish food gets old after a while. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Loved it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never had an issue. |
| * Safety: |
Four stars because of the pickpocketing issue, gets to be quite obnoxious as we're such easy targets. |
| 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) |
The combination of the Euro and being in a cosmopolitan city did not fare well for my bank account. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-175. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy drinks at the clubs, too expensive. Delve away from the touristy places/areas, find the holes in the wall; that's where the culture, best food, and best people are. Use skyscanner to compare flights when traveling around Europe. Remember to bring a Europe-sized carryon, different from American sized. Remember hot sauce, as they don't have true American hot sauce in Spain. Ski in Austria or Italy, not Switzerland, the Swiss Franc is far too expensive. Save up. |
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 learned more Spanish in those four months (I stayed in Barcelona for an extra month), than I did in the seven years previous |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 level. |
| 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? | Befriend locals, it's the best way! Take advantage of the language exchange programs offered by your university. Don't be afraid to talk to people who know Spanish here in America. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | To practice Spanish more beforehand. |
