Past Review
By Jennifer S (Business/Corporate Communications., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
It was totally worthwhile! I feel more independent, cultured and outgoing because of the program. It changed me for the better! I have an interest to work internationally now. I really gained a passion for spanish and the spanish culture. My whole experience made me appreciate American culture and European culture... and even how amazing language is and how much it means to be able to express yourself. Now i know the way we do it in America isn't necessarily the best way. It took away my number one mentality about my American culture.
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. |
The intensive spanish class i took was easier than if i had taken it at UT Austin, however, the class focused on how i could use Spanish everyday, and did not focus quite as much on the nitty gritty details of perfecting grammar. I improved my Spanish speaking skills immensely just by attending class. My teacher in Spain was much more encouraging than any of my Spanish professors I have had at UT. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strength: top of the line, great spanish classes, very organized, beautiful facility and location-- great field trips Weaknesses: I can't think of any |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
314 Carrer de los Castillejos in the Barrio of L'Exiample <br /><br /> The neighborhood was very safe and clean. It was a good location-- close to two main monuments (Sagrada Familia and Hospital Sant Pau). It would have been more ideal if it had been closer to the beach and nightlife-- but really i can't complain. Cab rides were not to expensive and I was a block away from the closest metro stop. I did not need to buy sheets or towels or cookware. It was provided for me. |
| * Food: |
I did not eat as much meat. All the food is more simple. They eat a great amount of bread and seafood. Overall the food was fantastic. I did miss some things about my American diet though. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We took a field trip to Costa Brava, and it was amazing!! It was a good mix of academic sights and beaches. Barcelona overall was incredible. I loved Antonio Gaudís architecture and all the history Barcelona had to offer. I loved the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Stud Barcelona has and incredible amount of pick pocketers! At all times i had to be aware of my belongings. I made sure not to bring too much with me at all times. The amount of pick pocketers made me very paranoid. Somebody tried to steal my purse. Sadly I could not trust strangers because it was possible they were after your money. It is important not to talk to anyone on the streets! Its scary. |
| 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? | We needed to know more about the price of cabs |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN508K |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
You need to not be afraid to make mistakes and speak up in class. It is helpful to make a friend in that foreign country and talk with them! Most people in my program spoke English with one another. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go out and discover Spain, don't stay with your American classmates the whole time. Try new things, be active. You have to motivate yourself to walk around and see things in order to experience the culture. A student who is curious, outgoing, positive and hard working is perfect for this program. You can't expect cool cultural experiences to happen to you if you just sit in your room all day. Get out an enjoy the city no matter what! It helps you feel less homesick and more Spanish. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intensive Intermediate Spanish in Context I-II |
| Course Department: | SPN250 |
| Instructor: | Pep Inglés |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The course was definitely challenging enough. We moved at a face pace. Pep took us on great cultural field trips and we were able to speak spanish with him. He enhanced my knowledge about Spanish culture I participated way more in my IES class than i would have at UT Austin. My professor was incredibly smart. He was linguist and knew 6 languages. SO impressive. He could tell us about the roots of words in latin and other languages so we were better able to remember them. The thing i miss most about my study abroad experience is surprisingly my spanish class! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no credit transfer issues so far. My class was approved by UT prior to my arrival in Barcelona. |
