Past Review
By roxana B (Political Science and Government., Barnard College) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
It was completely worthwhile. I met some people who stayed in all the time on skype or watching tv shows. I think that the experience is what you make of it. Living here for a year has made this city a home to me and I've adapted to the culture and way of life. I've learned a lot about myself and so far, the best decision I've ever made.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Universidad de Barcelona |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was lucky with the teachers I had. Classes were easier than at my host university but they were interesting and sufficiently challenging that I always had work to do. Overall I am very happy with the academic aspects of my study abroad experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I have no complaints of the administration at IES. They were always very helpful and catered to my needs when it came to medical appointments and other issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great apartment. Modern building and had a single all year. <br /><br /> I lived in the same apartment the entire year. I had a single and we were five roommates in total. Had different roommates each semester and managed to get my best friend to move in with me for the second semester. Loved the location, it is a metro/bus ride away from the center of the city and it is a safe neighborhood. |
| * Food: |
I did not live in a home-stay so I had control over my food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The nightlife in Barcelona is amazing. The trips IES organized were great. First semester we went to Costa Brava and second semester we went to Tarragona. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
This is city is a lot safer than Manhattan and San Juan, so I had no issues with safety. A lot of my friends got pit pocketed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | I tried to live on a budget of 15 euros per day. Don't know what my weekly expenses were. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think that keeping a daily budget is the best way to keep track of one's spending. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
It was great spending a year speaking and studying in my native language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it! |
