Study and homestay in Barcelona Past Review
By Christina V (Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
My experience was worthwhile, but not because of my program but because I made the best of everything and took my experience into my own hands. I loved my time abroad. It has definitely improved my cultural awareness. But it did nothing for my academic life, knowledge, or interests.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not academically comparable to UT. IES did not provide a very good education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was so Americanized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in Les Corts and I loved it, except it took me a really long time to get to class. My host family was wonderful and I highly recommend living with a family. <br /><br /> So far from class-took a ridiculously long time to get there. Very safe and pretty. I was treated very well by my host family, except we hardly spoke which is why it did not help me learn the language. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing!!!! Try it all! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Bars and clubs. Nothing was arranged by the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. No health issues. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The value of the dollar was way down, so the cost of living and eating was pretty high and unexpected. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4 semesters |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone spoke English. If you want to really learn the language, you have to go to a small town where no one knows English so you are forced to speak the language. I only had people I interacted with during the day to practice. My teacher was fabulous, and that is why I learned so much, but practicing was difficult. |
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? | An outgoing person, not wanting a really academic experience. Also if they are pretty comfortable with the language. |
