Hands down the best decision and most meaningful experience I've had to date. Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 04/27/2012 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned so much about the history, architecture and people of Barcelona from a cultural standpoint . It was the best experience I have ever had and I left with so much knowledge and appreciation for not only Spain but the many other countries I visited.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
I chose to opt out of IES housing and did individual housing which was a great decision for me despite what many IES administrators said about it. Great areas to live in Barcelona: Eixample, Gracia and the Sagrada area. Definitely stray from El Raval and places around Las Ramblas. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona is unique, always cooked as if it's gourmet, and as fresh as you can get. Delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Upon arrival, it was much easier to make home in Barcelona than I once expected. Although you have to work at it, I made good local friends who made my cultural experience that much better and allowed me to truly experience "real life" as a Barcelona resident. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health issues that needed to be addressed, however, I knew several people who had minor problems (sicknesses etc.) that were taken care of immediately by the asistence of IES staff finding them the necessary doctors. |
| * Safety: |
As everyone knows, Barcelona isn't the safest place when it comes to thievery. You just have to watch your stuff at all times and be aware of your surroundings (especially on the metro). Be confident and at least appear that you are not some naive tourist but someone who anticipates the bad reality that could potentially happen. I had a few instances of young teens who will approach you after for example a Barca game, and seem totally normal and friendly...and then steal your stuff. Don't be fooled. Other than the pickpockets, the city itself always seemed safe to me. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The honest truth is that you will spend a lot more money than you anticipate. Embrace it. It is definitely possible to follow a budget, however, it is not easy and you will soon realize that food in itself is not cheap nor are drinks. If you are on a tighter budget, I would definitely suggest living with a host family since all your meals (or at least breakfast and dinner) are covered in the housing cost. Since I did independent housing, I was responsible for every meal. However, I still don't regret my decision in my housing choice. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | This obviously varied depending on how much we went out and how often we shopped at the grocery store but I probably spent an average of about 200$ a week if not more |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't carry a lump sum of Euro cash in your wallet. A) could get stolen and B) you tend to use it more often than if you don't have it. Other ways to save money could be to make sandwiches at home for lunch, don't eat out every night even though you will want to, make your own dinners on occasion since there are markets all over the place with really cheap produce, meats and seafood. |
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 |
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| 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? | it varied for everyone, but everyone had to take at least one elvel of spanish language. |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to use it. You will feel stupid but so do many Spaniards who are trying to speak English to you. Just relentlessly use it as you immerse within the city because that is the only way you will truly retain any of it. |
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? |
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? | That there are other programs out there that did not make students take a minimum of 15 hours or have class on Friday. |
