SURREAL Past Review
By Maia Q (PSYCHOLOGY., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 04/30/2014 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned to love my life. To never be suicidal. To follow my dreams. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian are languages I am currently now practicing. I fell in love. Found the love of my life. Fell in love with Salvador Dali's art. Met life long friends. And will definitely be moving back to Barcelona to live my life.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
I broke my ankle and received surgery in Barcelona. Everything was taken care of with my student insurance. Completely free and excellent care! |
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| 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) |
It depended on how you wanted to make your lifestyle. Many students were taking international trips every week, so they were spending $500-1500 a week. But if you were staying in the city like myself, you would be spending $150-300 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 a week |
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 |
I was able to use the language because I chose to make local friends. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish |
| 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? | Make friends with people NOT in the study abroad program. Don't spend any time with anyone in your study abroad program. You must spend lots of time with people who do not know English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | Nothing. |
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.' |
