Barcelona: An Unforgettable Summer! Past Review
By Madeline E (Spanish Language and Literature., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
My study abroad experience was fabulous! I could not have asked for a better time or city to live in. My eyes were opened to another culture that began to feel like my own, despite the differences from my culture. I grew an even deeper appreciation for the Spanish language and have gained the confidence to use it much more often. I loved every minute I spent abroad and recommend to every one!
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 thoroughly enjoyed my courses abroad. The workload was completely manageable and the grading system was more than fair. The teachers were fabulous and showed a genuine interest in the course and the students. The classes were interactive and engaging. I learned a lot from my classes and teachers and was very impressed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program's building was in a perfect central location that was very accessible. The classrooms were very clean and there was plenty of space to use during free time for studying or reading, etc. The staff was very helpful and they made the program feel like our home country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our housing was in a very safe and tranquil part of town, which was great. It was a little far from the central city but very accessible by metro or taxi. Our host family provided us with everything that we needed regarding sheets, towels, etc. We were treated well by our host family and grew to feel comfortable in the home. |
| * Food: |
Unfortunately, the food that we had with our host family was not the highlight of our trip quality or taste-wise, however the food we had while dining out in Barcelona was fabulous! I am appreciative of our host family's food because we were able to experience some local dishes and have some great stories from meal-times to remember forever! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social life in Barcelona was great! We attended local/cultural events and had a great time learning about the culture. It was great to get so acquainted with another city that has its own history and culture. Through our program, we were able to attend wine tastings, cooking classes, etc. We also went on a mandatory field trip to Costa Brava and had the option of attending other field trips throughout the semester. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city is very well-known for pick-pocketing and because many of my friends did get pick-pocketed during our stay, it felt a little un-safe at times. However, the pick-pocketers would never use weapons or extreme violence. The taxis and streets all felt pretty safe. We were warned to be on the alert because we were tourists and easy targets. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None that I can think of. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 345L (Linguistics) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had already taken the Spanish course that I took abroad so it was repetitive for me, but very interesting to be taught the language while abroad. The teacher had some great techniques and advice I had never learned before in the U.S. We were also encouraged to speak often and practice our language skills, as well as grammar. To improve language skills abroad, I would recommend practice, practice, practice! Living with a host family is a great way to practice, as well as meeting locals and speaking in 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is looking to have a wonderful time in an amazing city and learn about another culture in-depth would love this program. The teachers are great and the classes are all very interesting. The administration is very impressive and they make you feel like you're in your home country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Business |
| Course Department: | IB 350 |
| Instructor: | Jay Moran |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Great course! Very interesting and I learned a lot. It was interactive and everyone was constantly engaged in the discussion. I loved this class and appreciate all of the knowledge I have taken away from it. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
