A great experience with some small exceptions and minor setbacks. Past Review
By A student (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 04/30/2014 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned a lot about Spain and Catalunya in particular and a lot about independence. I would do it all over again! And again, and again....
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. |
I felt like I learned a fair amount but the intensity was minimal, I don't know if part of this is due to the fact that I am used to intense science classes and was taking primarily culture classes abroad or if it was solely because the program was easy. I felt like the classes assigned a lot of busy-work in an attempt to be more rigorous. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was phenominal! From the program director who took a lot of interest in specializing the program to help students get the most out of their experience to the support administration who helped me through a long series of unfortunate events, I couldn't think of anything they could have done better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a single lady who didn't even learn my name for 3 of the 4 months I was there and closed the house off so I was confined to my room whenever I was home. She cooked all the meals so that was nice but otherwise it wasn't spectacular. However, I talked to many other friends in my program who absolutely loved their home-stays. |
| * Food: |
Like I said, my house mom cooked all the meals she was supposed to and had it ready when my roommate and I said it would be best to eat but many of the meals were microwaved frozen dishes and not the home-cooked spanish cuisine I was hoping for. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living there you inherently learn a lot about the culture but it was hard to break out of the abroad-bubble and meet locals though it was possible if you really tried. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues so nothing to complain about. |
| * Safety: |
I rarely felt in danger or even uncomfortable unless walking home alone late at night on occasion. It helped that I brought pepper-spray with me and always had it on my person when I went out. |
| 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) |
I budgeted my lunches and always took public transport and kept it cheap when I went out but I felt I got a full experience on limited funds. There are some costs in the city that are unavoidable though. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If going to Barcelona, buy a T-Jove metro pass at the beginning of the semester (just be sure not to lose it!) and take advantage of the night-bus system when the metros are closed. Buy simple lunch stuff at a grocer instead of eating out and take full advantage of meals at your home-stay. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | One upper-division |
| 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? | Find friends with the same language level and commit to talking in the language even when outside of class. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | Save up and spend your money! When is the next time you are going to be in Europe with your friends and a fair amount of free time? Take advantage while you have the chance and travel and live it up! Worry about paying it back later... |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
