Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad Will Change Your Life! Past Review

By (Communication and Media Studies, Muhlenberg College) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 04/24/2015 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. I learned to be independent, how to manage my money and travels, and how to live a different cultural lifestyle.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Living in a home stay gave me a great cultural experience to living in Spain

* Food:

Food was fantastic!!! Very fresh in Barcelona, like nothing I've every had before

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My program got me a doctor's appointment right away and was very accessible. It was different than healthcare at home, but they took care of me quickly.

* Safety:

The city is very safe, the biggest crime is pick-pocketing. Of course you have to be careful just like in any other city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $50/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up and spend the money on the things that you want to do. As long as you fulfill your goals, then it's money well spent.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • location
  • opportunities to travel
  • the culture
* What could be improved?
  • time management
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How many opportunities there are to do things and to learn about a place.

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 Urbanite
A 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.