Come for the language, realize no one else did, stay for the tapas Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/03/2019 to 04/14/2019 with
CIEE: Barcelona - Liberal Arts
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Spanish and Catalan culture, and about the political struggles of Catalonia. I was able to fully immerse myself in the student life of Barcelona. Definitely worthwhile.
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. |
Fantastic professors, coursework was relevant. Not very rigorous but that is because the students have irreparably lowered the professors' expectations |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
Very safe but pickpocketing is very common |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay with a host family |
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 |
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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 |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | If language is a priority for you, the best thing to do is stay with a host family and make local friends (through language exchanges and in your classes if possible) |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Learning the language is a secondary or even tertiary preoccupation for most students at CIEE Barcelona, especially in the programs that offer classes in English (not Liberal Arts or Advanced Liberal Arts). Had I realized this, I would have made a point to get to know Spanish locals much sooner to compensate. |
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