A Memorable Experience Past Review
By A student (Marketing., California State University - East Bay) - abroad from 09/01/2011 to 12/17/2011 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
The experience was definitely worthwhile for me. I enjoyed living in a different country and experiencing a different culture (although I didn't feel as immersed as I would have liked to have been.) I learned that I can be on my own and navigate around a foreign place
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 |
I was satisfied with the program administration. I felt the administrative staff were always accessible and prepared to help when needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I decided to live in a homestay and was very pleased with my decision. I lived with a very nice elderly couple who made their house feel like a home away from home. |
| * Food: |
The meals in my homestay were hit or miss. There were definitely some good restaurants and tapas bars, however. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I found it more difficult to immerse myself into the culture than I expected. Most of my time was spent with my fellow program attendees. Integrating into the culture more is the one thing I wish I could have experienced better. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I became sick at the end of the first month of the program. At the insistence of my homestay "mom" I requested to see a doctor and was easily provided with an appointment by the IES staff. |
| * Safety: |
I personally didn't have any problems with safety during my stay. I felt safe on the field trips and always took precaution and kept vigilance whenever I went out |
| 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) |
Food, necessities, entertainment, and trips were expensive but I made do with spending in moderation. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would suggest bringing most of your school supplies, toiletries, and clothes with you so won't have to purchase them abroad. |
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 |
While we were encouraged to speak Spanish with locals we weren't by any means exhorted to do so. While living in a homestay certainly demanded that I did, which I was glad about, and from self-motivation I spoke Spanish whenever possible, I was disappointed by the end of the program that my Spanish speaking ability did not improve by a significant degree. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP Spanish (Spanish 5) in high school |
| 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? | I would advise future participants to review Spanish before arriving and to live in homestays. Also, speaking Spanish whenever possible (taking the bus, ordering food, etc) is helpful not only to practice but to better interact with locals. |
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?
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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 wish I had researched and planned a few trips and/or activities ahead of time. Not only does doing so save you money but it spares you the hassle of doing things last minute or trying to search for something to do |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
