An immersion in Catalan culture Past Review
By Daniel L (International Relations and Affairs., Austin College) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
You become of aware of the Catalan culture immediately. My experience has made me think of how amazing it is to live in a place for an academic year, and how we adapt. I want to go back as of now. I want to live there some day in the future; it's where I feel the most content. The program is just a means to get there, to take courses about the history and culture. The rest is up to the individual, and I believe this experience has made me better as a person.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Universitat de Barcelona |
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program organised very fun and informative field trips (Costa Brava and Taragona). The program focused on the Catalan ideals more so than the Spanish, which I also liked. The program was a little large and became incidentally like a Ghetto or community of students who are all American and who only speak English outside the Spanish only classroom. The education was superb as I learned more than I expected. To that notion, my overall expectations were met and more. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was treated by host mother as if I was her son. She basically taught me Catalan which was one of the things I wanted to learn. She took care of us so well. My location was very easy to get around as it was right next to Plaza d'Espanya. I had no problems getting to and from where I was going either in the morning or night time. In fact, because it was so central and open, the nighttime was quite safe. |
| * Food: |
Mediterranean food is the best diet in the world. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
La Diada, La Merce, Carnival in Sitges, Les Falles in Valencia, Nadal (Christmas), Dia de Sant Jordi. All these events were unforgettable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare was easily available. The IES very much took care of the students when ill. I got complete treatment twice when I had a cold. Swine Flu was going around and IES made many steps to help prevent anything from accelerating. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The professors in both Castellano and Catalan. I spoke Catalan mainly in my homestay with my host-mother who was very patient. I used Castellano in most situations outside the home, unless I was with people whom I knew spoke Catalan. I did not normally hang out with the Americans at IES due to the English that was spoke quite exclusively amongst each other. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live 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? | If you are willing to try new things without making pre-conceived judgments, and willing to resist American ways of life (i.e. Starbucks, Burger King, American/Irish Pubs), than you will be able to take in what the culture really is, and you become a part of it yourself. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Beginning Catalan |
| Course Department: | CAT101 |
| Instructor: | Pep Ingles |
| Instruction Language: | Catalan |
| Comments: | Professor was very engaged and eager to teach the language. I learned Catalan very quickly because of his effective instruction. He recommended websites and areas of learning which further promoted the learning experience. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Catalan Cultural Studies |
| Course Department: | HP/AN 345 |
| Instructor: | Xavi Alcon |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Instruction was very hands-on. The class was unfortunately a non-active group of students due to the early time slot, however Xavi did everything he was able to make it enjoyable. I very much enjoyed the class: it's structure, the field studies, the field trips throughout the different city areas. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
