A great learning experience Past Review
By R.W. (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I became a much better Spanish speaker, gained a more worldly view, learned to be more easy-going, became more independent, a prepared traveler, and gained more knowledge about Spain.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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? |
I highly recommend a homestay, I can't imagine my semester any other way. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Catalans are not a very outgoing group of people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Be careful not to leave your phone, wallet, purse, or backpack anywhere unsupervised. You will be a target and they will steal your things. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES Abroad is a very organized program with a good academic coursework level. |
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? | $75 |
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? | Spanish 3 |
| 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? | Stay at a homestay. Spend time talking to people who are willing to help you. |
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? | That my classes at Universitat Pompeu Fabra were only filled with students who were attending American universities. I would have liked to have been placed with locals. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
