Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Nursing., The University of Texas at Austin) for

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really enjoyed learning about the Spanish culture and speaking the language. I really appreciate the US alot more after coming back from being abroad. Living abroad made me feel more confident about living other places in the world and let me know that if I set my mind to it, I can make it happen.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I feel that the level of difficulty was the same as how it is at UT, and feel that the teachers really wanted us to learn about what we were studying. I also liked how small the classes were as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was helpful and available when I needed help

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived off Via Augusta, in an apartment <br /><br /> I loved the lady that took care of us, I did not need to buy anything - she gave us sheets and food. She was very kind and made us snaks if we were hungry.

* Food:

I liked the meals my madre made me over the food in Spain overall. I think shopping at the market to make sandwiches is cheaper than buying them at little shops.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

San Juan festival was fun, and I really enjoyed the Dali museum that we went to on our field trip to Costa Brava.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Being a female I was a little worried but once I got to Spain I felt fine walking alone to places.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? No

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? Spanish 2
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced the language with my house mom who I lived with and with people at the restaurants and shops. A lot of people did speak English, and sometimes I found that when I spoke Spanish to people, they would respond in English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take advantage of every opportunity, meet as many people as you can, see as many things as you can, try as many new foods as you can!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Spanish 2
Course Department:
Instructor: Nuria P
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This class was challenging, the teacher only spoke in Spanish, showed us movies, played music etc. I also liked how she added material about the culture and customs in Barcelona as well. I did not really like the field trip to the flea market, I feel that another location would have been better
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Art History
Course Department:
Instructor: Matt Clear
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really enjoyed learning about the artists and going on the field trips. It was nice that the professor enjoyed what he taught and knew alot about the personal lives of the artists.
Credit Transfer Issues: