Spring 2018 CEA Experience Past Review
By A student (Iowa State University) - abroad from 01/10/2018 to 04/28/2018 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Barcelona, Spain
I loved talking with the CEA staff and hearing what their lives are like growing up and living in Barcelona. I have grown as a person and will remember my time abroad forever.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I love the small class sizes and attentive professors. All of my teachers know my name, which is a nice change of pace from my home university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CEA staff is always available if I have questions about anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt very safe in my apartment that CEA set me up in. |
| * Food: |
I will definitely miss the food in Barcelona. |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved my experience with CEA. The staff was easily accessible and there to answer any of my questions. I had a blast this semester. |
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? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take public transportation whenever you can! Taxis get very expensive... |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 |
| 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? | Immerse yourself in the culture and talk to locals. |
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? | 0 |
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 didn't stress about the money so much. I still had a blast, but I worried about the money I was spending too much. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
