CIEE Barcelona Business & Culture September 17, 2022
By A student (Spanish and Human & Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University) - abroad from 01/03/2022 to 04/10/2022 with
CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture
I had such a blast getting to practice my Spanish, live on my own in another country for a few months, learn from my professors and the locals, meet so many people, and get to experience so many incredible places.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We attended classes four days a week. The classes were so interesting, and it was great to be able to take so many that counted towards my major. In this specific program, all of the teachers, although native Spanish-speakers, taught the classes in English. The classes were challenging but not so difficult that I had to spend all of my time on work. All of my professors were really knowledgeable and passionate about the topics they taught, and they were so supportive and welcoming. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE also has other support staff available for questions and help unrelated to classes, and they are all so helpful and kind as well. They are always willing to help students, whether it’s an issue with their apartment, or health-related, or even just wanting something as simple as restaurant recommendations. They also put together so many events that allowed students to meet each other, to meet locals, and to get to see parts of the city that they hadn’t before. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment just a 15-minute walk away from the class building and a metro stop away from La Sagrada Familia. I had 4 other roommates, and even though the living spaces are generally smaller in Europe than in the U.S., we had plenty of space and loved our apartment. |
| * Food: |
Food was very easy to find throughout the city. Every place I ate was absolutely phenomenal. All of the food was so much healthier than in the U.S. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Between exploring through CIEE and on my own time, as well as meeting some of the locals, I felt very integrated with the local culture. I also speak Spanish so it was great to get to put that into practice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not experience any health issues while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Overall, Barcelona generally felt safe. There are just the general risks of living in a big city. Pickpocketing is huge in Spain. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My experience with CIEE in Barcelona was unforgettable and invaluable! |
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) |
Groceries and food were very cheap compared to in the U.S. I would guess that on a weekly basis, I spent about $30 on groceries and maybe $50 eating out. In terms of personal expenses, such as travelling, the prices depended on the week and specifics. I would say it was very affordable overall though. |
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 |
All of my classes (except my Spanish class) were taught in English. In my Spanish class, and outside of my other classes, CIEE really encouraged us to practice our Spanish and try to use it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 3000-level course at Vanderbilt |
| 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? | Watch tv, listen to music, use it wherever you can to practice! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I was initially hesitant to study abroad, but now, looking back, I would have regretted it so much if I hadn't gone abroad. Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that, if given the chance, everyone should take. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
