Past Review
By Ross M (Tourism and Travel Services Management., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
Gained a full understanding of Catalan culture, a firm grasp on the language, and a host of great memories.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Well organized, with several communication methods that were equally used to confirm all parties coordination |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Les Corts by the metro stop, at 165 Joan Guell. Quiet neighborhood in the hills, 20 minutes outside the center of the city. Apartment was fine, no a/c, small space where my 2 roommates and I shared a single bathroom with a grown single woman. We had a good relationship with our host mother who was a great cook and sweet lady, but felt somewhat awkward with little to no privacy and sharing personal space with her. <br /><br /> Our homestay was 20 minutes from school, and maybe 30 from any nightlife which was frustrating and expensive. Host mother treated us great, like a mother of 20 year olds, kind and caring but not overbearing. |
| * Food: |
Wonderful, still dream about my meals in Barcelona |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great fun if you are adventurous and open to new experiences |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Petty crime is prevalent and I kept a lock on my bag as a large percentage of students experienced some form of theft. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | nothing in particular |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP Spanish IV |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
With the majority of my classmates who were proficient, with my host mother, and with local friends and vendors. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do your best to find new, local friends. Some UT students found themselves studying abroad in Austin. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Advanced Writing |
| Course Department: | SPN400 |
| Instructor: | Ata Portela |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | In class was a great, interactive discussion with lessons but a very free flowing class setting. However, the vast majority of our grades and evaluation was derived from essays, articles, journal entries etc. Ata was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and interested in the progress of the students. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Sports and Society in Spain |
| Course Department: | EUS347 |
| Instructor: | Dawn Hiscock |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Well taught by a fun, enthusiastic teacher. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
