A fantastic taste of Barcelona and Europe Past Review

By (International Economic and Politics, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 04/19/2012 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Economics and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was amazing. I really learned how to meet new people and to experience a new culture, and I got to travel a lot.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: CIEE study center, universitat pompeu fabra
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were difficult, some of the work was unnecessary "busy work"

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful, helpful, and so sweet. Clara Rhodes was so great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Nice, clean, but no wifi!

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100$

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? 2001
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The City
  • The friends I met
* What could be improved?
  • Cost- Fordham should allow more aid
  • Housing- be able to live with a roommate if desired
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew another person on the program with me so we could have been a team in the program. Everything is easier, planning trips and events, when you know at least one other person.