Una experiencia inolvidable Past Review
By Dustin Lee (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/05/2018 to 12/20/2018 with
CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture
I learned a lot about myself, what career trajectory I want to go down, and intercultural skills. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
The classes were definitely not as hard as Brandeis courses, but strikes a nice balance that allows students to take advantage of their experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was excellent, they were incredibly nice and always super helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an okay experience with my homestay. I did not get along with the mom, but really got along well with the host grandma. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing, it was always so incredible! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I definitely felt integrated with the local culture and was able to improve my Spanish! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I think that health care is easily accessible, however I did not use this. |
| * Safety: |
More or less the city is safe. However, it is one of the top pickpocket cities in Europe. I got targeted five times throughout the beginning and someone actually stole my phone from my hand and drove off on their bike. I would just be aware if you choose to come here as they prey on people who are distracted. Otherwise, I always felt safe walking around even at the dead of night like 3am, since it's always so lively. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I definitely felt like I chose the right place because it was in Europe, I could improve my Spanish, and it was a huge city with lots to do. |
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) |
More or less, it is okay to live on a student budget. I did a homestay so I always had breakfast and dinner provided, and the meals here are relatively cheap in comparison to other places in Europe. I spent about $3,500 in total for the entire 3.5 months (and that includes traveling to five other European cities). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Again, I would say I probably spent $3000 on expenses/food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would definitely check out the menu-del-dias, they are three-course meals for a fixed price (usually 10-15 euros). They are definitely the bang for your buck. Also, buy a T-joven card for the metro if you need to use it, you can use the metro as much as you like for three months for only ~105 euros (~$125; this includes transportation to and from the airport! |
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 program definitely encouraged the use of the language a lot. |
| 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? | Intermediate Spanish |
| 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? | Try to use the language as much as possible, it'll help you a lot! I lived in a homestay, so I used Spanish to communicate with my family, but I always tried to order my food in Spanish, buy things in Spanish, and talk to the students/faculty in Spanish there. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Don't hold your phone out and about. Don't put your phone on the table because someone will steal it. Be wary of other people especially in the metro, the club, and in popular tourist places. Don't travel back to back, every weekend, it can get extremely exhausting. Try to embrace the city you chose! |
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.' |
