Better Than I Ever Could Have Hoped For From Barcelona Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This program is gauged to really help students work on their language skills while taking business courses abroad, which really catered to what I wanted in a study abroad program. I was surprised at first that because I had tested into the advanced level of Spanish that I would be required to take 3 out of my 5 courses in Spanish, which included History and Marketing courses for my approved credits and it really forced me to learn the language much quicker than I ever have over my semester long courses in the United States. The courses were challenging, I was writing papers, listening to lecture, completing homework, and making presentations in Spanish and I was not nearly as fluent when I got there as when I left, meaning I had to study quite a bit to understand all that was going on. The study center offered great tutors which I took advantage of before every Spanish test as well as extra curricular groups such as photography, salsa dancing, running, hiking, and others.

On-site administration of your program

They were all more than willing to help at any point if we needed anything, whether it be an academic, housing, personal, or travel concern. I felt as though the administration was not just there for the program but there for us--we could come to them for anything.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our housing was fantastic, I had the opportunity to live with Americans as well as students from Columbia, Venezuela, and London. We each had our own room and bathroom yet we all shared a common kitchen and living room. We had our rooms cleaned every week and towels replaced and the staff had computers and printers available if we needed them. The mail came right to our residencia and the location was right by our local metro stop and a great neighborhood area. Only complaint was that friends who were not living in the residencia had much trouble being signed in because the security was so tight.

The food was amazing, I already love Spanish and Mediterranean food so this was a big hit for me.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Could have felt more integrated, but that was not under the control of the program since the Catalan culture is very much so based on the language and customs of the Catalan kids. Our Guardian Angels took us out with them to meet some of their Catalan friends who were very nice the language barrier was just something that was somewhat difficult to overcome.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any major health concerns but again this is something that is not under the program's control from a cultural standpoint. In Spain, the socialized healthcare made it so even if you had a minor cold or health issue you had to be made an appointment at least 2 days later with a doctor personally who would probably require a cash payment of at least 50-60 euro. CIEE did a great job setting up the appointments so students would not have to seek it out on their own but the cultural difference made it expensive and inconvenient to deal with major or immediate health issues.

My residencia was very safe and the security at the study center was very tight as well. We had to be careful where we walked and when around the city because of pickpockets and characters in the metro at certain hours but we didn't have issues because we were smart about it.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It's expensive to be abroad, especially because none of us were working, we all wanted to travel, we mostly had to buy our food out because we didn't cook as often as would have liked, travel expenses like the metro that have to be considered comparing to Villanova where we never pay that much for the train, etc. I definitely spent more than 200+ on food and personal expenses each week

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

All the time: program trips for students in the advanced classes required we take the guided tour in Spanish, they encouraged us to use it between us and with locals when we were out, I wrote papers, took lecture, and made presentations in Spanish

Select all that apply

• Dorm
• Apartment
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The exposure to Catalan traditions and language in the comfort of other abroad students
• Really applying my language skills to improve them and utilize them in classes as well as everyday life
• The people I met: locals, international students, and Americans...the program was all I had hoped it would be and more

• More meetings for extra curricular groups: only went to one meeting of the 2/3 I was interested in
• More intercambio offerings, wanted to meet more Catalan students