Incredible Past Review

By (Psychobiology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/24/2013 to 06/20/2013 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Advanced Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Barcelona is the best!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Kind people but very disorganized

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great location and nice host family

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Spent most of the time with people in my program but we got to see every part of the city. It is hard to make friends with the locals our age but once you get to know them, they are great!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Euros are more expensive but with homestay they cook for you so it was fine

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not sure, spent most weekends traveling so about 100-200$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do homestay!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
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? Homestay

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The art class I took
  • Location of program building
  • Field Trips
* What could be improved?
  • Very disorganized
  • Students did not have classes catalogue until 3 weeks into trip
  • Students were not well informed about much before trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Wish I knew more about the local academics/classes I would be taking there

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Developmental Disorders

Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Ortega
Instruction Language: Spanish/Catalan
Comments: It was really far located from center of the city, class began late, students talked throughout the class, it was mainly lectured in catalan, final exam is late in the summer.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, class ended after program ended. Students should look into psychology classes syllabus prior to booking plane ticket home
Course Name/Rating:

Catalan Art

Course Department: CIEE class
Instructor: Laura
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was great! Took trips to important architectural locations and museums throughout Barcelona while learning more about the city
Credit Transfer Issues: