Barcelona: A Colorful Experience Past Review

By (Psychology, The Catholic University of America) for

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I thoroughly enjoyed my study abroad experience in Barcelona. I would not trade the experiences I had for anything. I feel that I returned from Barcelona with a greater knowledge of the Spanish culture and with another glimpse at the outside world. The time I spent abroad influenced me to want to spend more time abroad in the future. While traveling to Italy, I felt that I would have loved to study abroad there, which is why I say that I would choose a different program if I were to study abroad again.

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:

When sick, IES was very helpful in finding an English-speaking doctor in Barcelona. They also continued to check on students when they knew the student had been sick recently.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Barcelona was a great deal more expensive that I had anticipated, but it is an affordable location if you plan well.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 101
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans