The experience of a lifetime that I will always miss and never forget. Past Review
By Benjamin S (Geography and Cartography., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/21/2013 to 07/06/2013 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I was able to gain a more open minded outlook on things. I was able to see what everyday life was like outside the United States of America. I would say it was definitely worthwhile. I wish I could go back there right now.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Definitely more homework than I expected, but our professors were great and helped us with anything we needed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff was awesome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My house mom was wonderful. She was an excellent cook and loved to help us with our Spanish. |
| * Food: |
Spanish food as a whole was not that great- pretty bland. However, my house mom was an amazing cook and provided us with an awesome meal every night. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Barcelona is a very safe city. I never felt in danger. However, pick pocketing is TERRIBLE there. You really have to be on your guard at all times, especially in the metro and near the beach. |
| 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) |
Barcelona is an expensive city.. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at the markets, its much cheaper and the food there is pretty good. |
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 |
Only Spanish was allowed in the classroom, and my house mom did not speak english to us |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish II |
| 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? | Use it as often as you can when you are abroad. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | All of the good restaurants and markets to eat at that were reasonably priced. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
