The Greatest Time of My Life Past Review
By Mark B (Marketing., Pennsylvania State University - University Park) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 04/27/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Barcelona, Spain
Studying abroad is about the most worthwhile decision that you can make. You learn so much about yourself, the different cultures that exist around the world, increased global awareness, and new insight into your home culture. You gain such a greater understanding of life when you place yourself in a foreign situation. You bond so much with your friends that you study abroad with because you are all experience so many new things together every day. The stories that I have with my friends will last our entire lifetimes. Studying abroad is the best decision that you can make and its really a privileged that (if able to) should be taken advantage of.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
CEA courses provide a perfect balance of studying and allowing us to explore the city. Mon-Thurs courses allowed us the flexibility to travel which was great! All four of my courses took amazing in class field studies. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with my 4 best friends in a huge apartment on Gran Via. Thank you CEA for accommodating us! |
| * Food: |
Mercadona Guacamole! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
If you have your wits about you and always with friends you should have no trouble. |
| 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) |
My parents supported me the whole time. We spent about 50-60 Euro on food per week. The club promoters got us free cover for nightlife. Depending on how much you go our you are going to spend more (drinks, taxis, etc.) . All of my CEA Global Education courses took us on field studies so that was paid for (Sagrada Familia, Picaso Museum, Casa Mila, etc). The more travel you do the more you are going to spend as well. Round-trip cheap air-line tickets were usually at least 80-100 Euro so you have to plan for that if you looking to travel frequently. |
| * 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? | 45-50 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't indulge too much too early. It can be very exciting to go out and spend lavishly the first few weeks. Obviously have a great time early on and go a little wild, but for the most part keep your sights on the long term if you are trying to maintain a 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 |
My cultures & communication teacher always encouraged us to get involved in with local activities. We even got to meet other students from the University of Barcelona. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 003 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Anytime you have the opportunity to use the language during your daily life try and use it. When you are in a restaurant or cafe try to order your food in that language. At the very least try to pronounce words on the menu. Listening is key as well. If you are on the metro, or walking in the street listen to locals interacting with each other around you and that may help. |
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? | I wish I knew how much I was going to miss the program when I returned home. Everyday I think about my experience in Barcelona and I wish I knew how much I was going to miss it. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
