I will always remember the friends and experiences I had while in Barcelona Past Review
By Ethan T (Government and Spanish, The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I gained increased langauage abilities. Overall everything was beyond what I expected. The city is wonderful, I love Spain, and being there while the World Cup was going on was incredible.
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. |
Since this was an institution geared towards American students, the teaching methods were very similar to that in the United States. However, I feel that they were much more relaxed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty was amazing. My advisor made me feel comfortable to ask questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was the worst part. IES students are scattered around the city. Some apartments are quite nice, but mine was falling apart. The water broke, internet was always done, the electricty would go off for hours everyday. I was living with three other Americans and a local Catalan who was suppose to be our RA. However, he was rude, dirty, and unhelpful. |
| * Food: |
Europe has great food of all kinds! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They were a lot of fun! WAKE UP IN TIME FOR DEPARTURE AND GO! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was almost mugged on the subway one day. However, that was because my friend and I were being very loud, and Americans are easy targets for pick pockets |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | no I don' think that is possible. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken one upper division Spanish course. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practice Spanish in the classroom with other Americans and also with the local friends that I made. I did use Spanish on a day to day basis, but most of the population in Barcelona could understand English. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't stick with the American students, go to local events and clubs, try everything, and don't be discouraged to use you Spanish |
