Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Beautiful city, delicious food, unending fun, and awesome trips with friends! August 11, 2025

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/03/2025 to 04/12/2025 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I made new friends, and met so many people who go to other schools all around the U.S. I was able to experience a more worry-free, fun, and socially complete college experience than I did at Wellesley. I felt a strong sense of freedom, and was able to understand new cultures. I also gained a renewed appreciation for the quality of education that I receive at Wellesley, and the friends that I left behind.

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

very far from the city, not the safest area, had to take the subway to do anything

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? book your fligths and accomodations in advance if you are going to travel often to expensive places such as Rome, Amsterdam, Vienna, or the UK.

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? Intermediate
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? Spanish 202
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? Take all your classes in Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Flexibility
  • People
  • Atmosphere
* What could be improved?
  • Housing assignments
  • Professors
  • Classrooms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The importance of being closer to the center of Barcelona.

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.