Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Beautiful city!! But no one will talk to you. Past Review

By (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 05/20/2012 to 07/07/2012 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a new appreciation for the history of Spain especially their civil war. I also got to explore all the barrios of Barcelona which has always been a dream of mine. In that, I wasn't dissappointed. Barcelona is a beautiful city, and I loved living the urban livestyle. I believe it was worthwhile. It was a unique, fascinating experience: the food, the music, even the clothes people wore! I willl remember it very fondly.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers were excellent and well qualified. One had his doctorate in history and my grammar teacher taught at the University of Barcelona and once at Berkley. Our final paper for history had very high standards.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt that the staff as a whole were pretty disinterested in the students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had my own internet and room. My host mom wasn't very outgoing but when I talked to her she warmed up to me.

* Food:

Dinner was great. Breakfast was really simple. Just toast and butter.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Barcelona is not an ideal place to practice Spanish because the locals are pretty negative on foreigners. People are more likely to take you for a turist and not pay you any attention. If you choose this program you will likely just spend time with the American students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Barcelona is very safe. The only issues they have are with muggings. If you are aware and are careful to not take a credit card or very much cash where you won't be in trouble. Also, don't give the impression that you have a lot of money (expensive purse, flashing an iPhone, etc.).

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

* 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? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the grocery store and buy sandwhich fixings for the week. Cafes way overcharge for a sandwhich.

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

Since the program wasn't an immersion program we weren't encouraged to speak spanish outside of class. In class though we had to speak Spanish.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish
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? Talk to your host mom/family.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The architecture of Barcelona
  • Exploring Barcelona and outlying areas using public transport
  • Drinking amazing coffee and having a tapa every day
* What could be improved?
  • The program should be an immersion program. I don't think it pushed students hard enough.
  • Breakfasts should have been bigger.
  • Staff should have provided opportunities to have students interact with native students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it was not an immersion program. I also wish I could have known that the majority of American students there weren't there to learn and just wanted to party. I also wish I had known that the people of Barcelona weren't very friendly. Madrid and southern Spain were much more welcoming and accepting to foreigners.