Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was an amazing experience that was eye-opening, exciting, and educational. Past Review

By (Government Major, Psychology Minor, Elementary Education Certification, Connecticut College) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/18/2014 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned an incredible amount about Spanish, Catalan and American culture and I was able to delve deeper into the subjects I am studying at Conn Coll, I studied new topics that I am not currently studying, I was able to brush up on my Spanish conversation skills, I gained experience planning my own trips and I learned a lot about myself and my friends. It was definitely worthwhile!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? AP Spanish Language and Culture
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The IES run field trips around Barcelona and Spain
* What could be improved?
  • What is expected of us as students. It was clear that many of the professors had restictions put on them by the program which required them to teach and assess in certain ways and this sometimes made it hard for them to teach the way they wanted to. This oftentimes had a negative influence on the motivation and enthusiasm of the students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I cannot think of anything.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.