Past Review
By James (Economics., Tufts University) for
CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture
Yes it was, every time I look back on it I remember how awesome I felt at the time. Go abroad, whether it be Spain, or anywhere for that matter, you won't have this opportunity again so make sure you experience it. You will remember the smaller things in life mean a lot more.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Escola de Superior de International |
| 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. |
It is extremely hard to say that I had a great "educational" experience when the class schedule was such a hindrance. Not all kids had class that early, but my experience was certainly negatively affected by it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I was not sufficiently prepared prior to arriving. Once I was there, it was a lot easier, but I would have appreciated a bit more information. The teachers themselves were sub-par mainly in that they weren't use to the fact that American Students care a lot more about grades, and particularly learning the material. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was awesome, I loved living where I did. <br /><br /> I arranged mine privately since I didn't know spanish, wanted to live with a best friend of mine, and felt it would be cheaper to live independently (which it was) |
| * Food: |
Overall, you can find decent/average food. There are two types in my opinion; you had the cheap/disgusting really just generic foods that weren't that good, and then if you wanted to have a good meal you had to spend over 20 euros. There was really no middle, either cheap or expensive, bad or good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona is an awesome city, and the social culture is awesome. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Spain has a lot of petty theft and muggings, so other than that asterisk, it was really safe. |
| 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 did a lot of buying of my own food, and eventually toned down the amount I spent on personal expenses. However, you can go out every night and not spend more than 20 euro on food and drink if you play your cards right. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Phones are expensive everywhere in europe, don't use unless you have to, and try and buy alcohol or any other items in spots not dominated by tourism |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
being immersed in any language helps. I learned a lot by simply living on my own there. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Look above, but bring extra cash, get ready to stay up late a lot, the classes are easy, the kids are easy to make friends with and relate to with any background/university you come from, and the most important thing is: Barcelona is an unbelievable city, but try and visit as many places as possible. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Econ |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Evans Jadotte |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was terribly run, and many of the kids failed the first test. If you are a smart kid you will do fine, I really didn't do anything for it and left the class with an A- |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Barcelona |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Don't remember |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Easy and interesting |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Beginner Spanish |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Xavi |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I learned so much in this, if only it wasn't so early in the day. Overall I am confident to say I can speak Spanish well enough to speak to Spaniards. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Strategic Management |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class had so much wordy jargon I didn't know what was happening. I ended up getting a B in it, but honestly learning some of the things taught in this class are useless. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Marketing |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Jordi* |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was rather easy, but fun. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
