Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Loved Barcelona, but I think the program could be tweaked January 27, 2026

By (Economics & Culture, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/08/2025 to 12/18/2025 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Economics and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a more global mindset, definitely worth the experience

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There’s a more diverse set of courses available than my home institution, and all of the courses do a good job of incorporating Barcelona into the classes

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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? No

I loved Barcelona and the CIEE staff, but i think something that’s missing is more immersion with local students and people. There’s an option to take classes at a local university, but only in the international program, which consists of students really only from CIEE/America.

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)

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? 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? SPAN 202
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Stay in a home stay if possible, you’re more likely to practice that way

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • New People
  • Ability to Travel
  • My Spanish Class (specifically Professor Caty)
* What could be improved?
  • Immersion with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That i wouldn’t be getting as much immersion as I would’ve liked

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.