a life changing year Past Review
By Kiki Kravitz (University of Oregon) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 04/27/2017 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
1000000% worthwhile, this trip has influenced me for the better.
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. |
the classes are mandatory attendance and you must participate if you would like a good grade in any of your classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I could not have been any luckier with the host parents that i got placed with. they were the most loving and interesting people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
each dinner was memorable, the food was amazing, the stories told at the table were even better. |
| * Food: |
spanish food is now my favorite type of food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
you need to try and become immersed with the culture, it does take time and effort but once you put in the effort it does pay off. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Before i came to spain i was having horrible problems with my skin and i went to 3 different doctors at home in the US. when i got to spain my problem got worse and i ventured to the urgent care, they were able to help me and the doctor there gave me the correct prognosis!! |
| * Safety: |
be aware of your surroundings, who is walking next to you, what part of town you are walking in things like that. walk with confidence everywhere you go and try and take on some style from the country you are in to blend in. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
my program and everyone in it were amazing. i wish i had taken some more classes at a local school so i could have made more local friends. |
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) |
this depends on how much you want to spend. once youre around for a week you will be able to figure out what the best lunch places are and where you get the cheapest things. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | save as much as you can. if you are traveling through Europe book flights through sky scanner for the best deals. |
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 |
speak the language of the country you are in!!!!!!! learn, practice, stay with a host family. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 3 years of high school spanish |
| 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 with a host family, this is honestly the best practice in the world. it never feels like work and you dont think youre picking up on it but you are. DUO lingo is a great app to help you practice, speak the language in stores and bars. |
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? | travel more, go out by yourself and explore. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
