UAB is a great place to study abroad Past Review
By Tashie (Biology, General., University of Hartford) for
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain, was probably the best decision i have ever made in my life. They all say that when you go abroad or perhaps just Barcelona, that you are running away from something. Sometimes it's true, but sometimes you need to just leave and get away from America to appreciate, what you have at home, change, group up become mature and independent. It did impact my culture awareness, i also realize how expensive it is to live in europe and how lucky we are here! I went to barcelona soccer games, i learned the language, went to amazing bars/clubs. Met guys and girls not only from Spain but all over Europe. I really would love to study abroad again, visit barcelona once more. my interests in the future have changed profoundly upon attending school in barcelona. I feel that my studies for medical school will be abroad and not in the united states. i also believe that i am going to study abroad but this time hopfully helping children and doing community service.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Autonoma Barcelona |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I really liked my Program Administration, they were fun, kind, and did the best they can do to make us all feel comfortable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If you kept walking down the street toward the left(all the way) you can be on las ramblas, and or the beach, also they had parks and basektball courts and a soccerfield to play. Neighborhood was not dangerous but i would not recommend being alone, because you can get pick pocketed but that is everywhere. Towards the right our nieghborhood was nice because we had a lot of resturants we were also next to the mnac museum and can walk up montjuic!! |
| * Food: |
Food was good, we lived by two great resturants Chelsea and Pizzeria, also the best thing to eat in barcelona are Durums (it's turkish food and cheap for students!) bella instanbul (very great place to eat). anything to eat in spain is great because they have seafood. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going on the trips with our program Api made the cultural experience for me a more profound feel for spain, which i loved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety is a BIG issue in Barcelona, people get robbed everyday. 1. always stay in groups, even if your a guy. (girls should be with a guy/s too) 2. never bring purses out ( or hand wallets) if you do have a purse make sure it is a side purse so no one can grap it off you. -- when i recieved my metro card they gave us this little wallet that went with it ( i would put my money id etc in it it was small so i would put it in my jean pocket or in my shoe. * Healthcare system is different then back home because well you're in Spain, and i'm not that sure because i never needed to go to the doctor but where we lived on parallel there was a hospital close by. (always call youre program if you do not know spanish) |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | i would always cook -- it would come to 20euros buying all that i needed. ( we would buy pasta, etc) always by the cheapest BUT also the healthiest choice. each month with going out, traveling, food shopping. going to barcelona soccer games! --->1200euros or more everything is expensive no matter what! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend money on clothes, and going to resturants all the time. COOK (all the time)! spend your money on travels, going out with friends and sightseeing! The good thing about going out to clubs - is that you will always have a promoter to get in places so you wont have to pay to get in the clubs but the drinks are expensive! at first it's hard but you just have to make sure you're keeping tabs of your money, save save save, don't waste money on things you dont need, if you need it get it! |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My language improved, not with the program but living in Spain in general. Yes my language class did help (but i did know the language somewhat well so they talk me extra phrases etc) BUT you have to really go out there-- meet people, talk to people at resturants, they want to help you, correct you. |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student that is laidback, willing to make friends, and learn and speak the language is right for this county, and program. This experience is once and a life time, when you first have the feeling and realization that you are going abroad you are excited scared, but when you leave you're sad and wish you can spend the rest of your life there. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Language |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Elena and Maria |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | Participating in class is a must. The Spanish Language teachers are the best teachers, they are fun! they want you to have fun and learn, they can be your bestfriends - help you around Spain, tell you the best places to eat etc, my spanish teachers were my favorite. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No, because it is a language. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Art & Heritage Culture |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Georgeina |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Learned about artist in Spain, and how the desgins were made and kept. we also went to museums in barcelona such as the MNAC. Wrote papers on paitings. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Civilization and Culture |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Nuria |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Learned about the history of spain from the start to the end. We didnt have homework. but tests and papers |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
