UNFORGETTABLE AND BEAUTIFUL Past Review
By johana g (COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/08/2014 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?
Very much worthwhile, I gained way more than I expected. Each passing day was like a treat; an opportunity to learn something new and see something I've never seen before. I fell in love with every small quality about being abroad. Meeting new people from different backgrounds never bored me and learning about a new tradition or culture was fascinating. You quickly realize that there is so much yet to be explored and talked about by you. I even admired the cobblestone and the sidewalk tile design. There is nothing like the experience of being abroad, I cannot wait to travel again and feel this all over again.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
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| * Safety: |
The issue is most common with the safety of your belongings and not really with you yourself. Pick pocketing happens very frequently, but if you are diligent with your things, then this won't be a problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $80 at most |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be patient when searching for places to eat out at because other restaurants nearby can serve the same exact food, equal quality but cheaper. Just compare and if you really want advice on saving, ask locals because they will definitely know where there are reasonable prices for food. |
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? | 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? | advanced 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? | Living with a host family will force you to use and you will you see fast improvements. Also if you have the option to take courses at a local university or intern locally that can help too. Even without all of the mentioned, make yourself use the language wherever you go whether it is to simply grocery shop, order food, or buy tickets from a train/metro station and talk to the cab drivers. |
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?
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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? | I wish I knew that days and weeks go by so very fast. I would take an even greater advantage of my time while I was there because it does seem like time passes slowly at first, but this is not so. |
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.' |
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