Eye-opening experience to realize my own potential and independence October 15, 2022
By Victoria K (English Creative Writing/Spanish major, Business and Innovation minor, Providence College) - abroad from 06/11/2022 to 07/09/2022 with
CIEE: Barcelona - Summer Language and Culture
I learned that traveling around different parts of the world is not only an enlightening experience seeing other cultures and so much fun in general going out of your comfort zone to see and experience new things that I never would normally experience, but it is also enlightening learning about my own potential. In the past, I never would have imagined that I would travel the world by myself like I did. Looking back on my experiences and all that I accomplished is an incredibly empowering feeling. I now feel like I can do anything. That is a priceless, worthwhile feeling.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
A great combination of high quality lessons, engaging teaching by professors, and many class excursions in the city to see landmarks and historical places that we were learning about in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Modern, spacious, air-conditioned apartment! |
| * Food: |
If you were not in a homestay, you were responsible for providing your own food. The grocery stores were very accessible and easy to navigate. The food is different, but delicious once you get used to it! The schedule of eating was a huge adjustment for me, it is much later in Spain with tapas (appetizer plates) around 4-6pm, and dinner primarily happening from 8-11pm. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You immediately become immersed and a part of this new culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
CIEE had a system where you could report if you had a medical issue or needed to go to the hospital or doctor at any point, and they would get you there and help make you an appointment. There was a way to differentiate between emergency or not, and you did not have to disclose any information about what was going on that you did not wan to. |
| * Safety: |
The biggest issue in Barcelona is pick-pocketing. Aside from that there are not too many violent crimes that are common. As long as you keep a cross body, fanny pack, or other small bag of some sort that you can keep in front of you (not in the back because that is how people grab stuff out of it) and with your hand on it if you need to in especially crowded areas, you will be okay. Also, a smart idea is to separate your very important items into different sections so if one bag gets taken, you do not lose everything. For example, I had my credit card in my smaller bag and then a spare debit card in my bigger bag, but my phone in my smaller bag. Also, I had cash separated in different areas so if something was taken, I always had some money to get back home in some manner. With all that said, I never personally had a problem with pickpocketing. If you are cautious, you will be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
CIEE was great. I would chose another CIEE program again absolutely. I would just like to try a different location and city that is potentially smaller so I can get a hang of the area a bit more. The size of Barcelona and adjustment to the transportation system was difficult for me at first. But then it was completely fine. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Going to the grocery store and cooking meals/meal prepping (if you are in an apartment and not a homestay where they cook you meals) is the most budget friendly method of getting food. People will naturally go out to dinner and lunch a lot when they are traveling and trying new places, but there are definitely ways to still do this without spending a crazy amount of money. |
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 |
My class was a Spanish class taught 100% in Spanish, so we spoke and listened to Spanish in class always. However, aside from my class, the program heads and any program events run by CIEE, such as orientation or day trips, were all in English. |
| 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 322 |
| 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? | One tip that I did was look up recordings of native Spanish speakers and I listened to them speaking in conversation on Spotify or YouTube |
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? | 0 |
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? | It is very helpful to research what the city is like before you go there so you have an idea of how large it is, how to get around, good restaurants, etc. This will limit the unknowns that can sometimes be intimidating when you arrive. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
