Visca Catalunya Past Review
By A student (Public Health., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/18/2012 to 04/26/2012 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Best experience ever. I learned about different cultures, people, ideals, etc. It has made me even more open-minded. I was never really outgoing, but I feel more comfortable with myself now. Study abroad is better than just traveling because you have an opportunity to create this life elsewhere with your peers, and you have to learn to adapt, which is important.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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? |
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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: |
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| 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) |
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| * 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? | Between 100 and 150 depending on the week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery store! Keep track of your spendings weekly. Spend on things that really matter, like trips elsewhere. Don't hinder your experience abroad, though. A 60 euro top is more than a roundtrip to an awesome city. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Do a home stay! And when you meet people, at least initially try to speak the language. If it doesn't work out, ask to switch to English. |
Other Program Information
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* 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? | 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? | I could have taken a class with international students even though I knew no Spanish going into Spain. |
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