I wouldn't do anything differently Past Review
By Laura D (PSYCHOLOGY., Manhattanville College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned to be more culturally understanding. I learned to appreciate what I have at home. I learned to do something new each day and constantly explore. Traveling is a worthwhile experience.
Review Photos
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 actually had a lot of work. Everything was do-able but I actually studied and wrote papers. Challenging but worth it in the end. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved them. They were so welcoming and friendly. Willing to help with any problem and make your experience more enjoyable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my home stay mom. So funny and nice. A really good cook too! I felt at home. |
| * Food: |
Unbelievable. I gained weight on amazing food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
OnceI learned enough spanish to get around, I was confident. People stare in Barcelona but you get used to it. Take everything as an experience and be understanding! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick once and I was able to go to the pharmacy outside my house and get medicine. It does help though if you know Spanish. |
| * Safety: |
Always felt safe. Just hold onto your bag. Pickpocketing is huge. |
| 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) |
$100 a week in a home stay is more than enough. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of public transportation. It will be worth it in the end! Use bodegas for cheap wine and alcohol. |
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 |
Always helpful and understanding of us trying to speak. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | College 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? | Live in a homestay! |
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? | How academics were run and set up. I was a little confused before I went. |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Food as an expression of Culture |
| Course Department: | Sociology |
| Instructor: | Txcell |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Challenging but definitely worth it. Teacher was so passionate about her work and engaging. You were forced to participate but it made the material more relatable. We wrote a lot of paper and she pushed us to be better writers as well. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Nope |
