Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

IES Abroad: My Life Abroad September 06, 2022

By (Business, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/10/2022 to 04/29/2022 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained confidence in my doings. I was able to venture off on my own and explore anything I wanted to. I was able to attend my favorite fútbol games, and other sporting events. I learned the culture and was able to a part of it. Lastly, I was able to travel amost every weekend to another city and/or country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were not made to be hard, but to be interesting about Barcelona.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was not the nicest apartment, but we all had our own room and looked at the positives.

* Food:

Barcelona has a mix of all types of food at a high level taste.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Socially, and culturally, Barcelona is one of the greatest cities in the world. It has a mix of social scenes, and its culture is an amazing thing to learn and be a part of.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did get sick, but in another country. I was not able to attend class because of how sick I was, but the resources were there to get better.

* Safety:

There is always a safety risk when traveling in Europe, but IES offers advice and tips to students on how to stay safe. I did not have a problem with safety by the way.

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

Yes and no. I love traveling, so as much as I love Barcelona, there's a whole world to see.

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)

They say Barcelona is cheaper than the US, but that does not mean it won't get expensive. Start saving and make sure you have a daily budget, including weekend trips.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $1000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Before you go abroad make minimal uneeded purchases, and start saving now. While you are abroad, plan in advance for a weekend and remember there is always a cheaper option .

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

There were always oppurtunities to practice whether it was in class or out of class. Locals actually prefer you try and mess up than not try at all.

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? Intermediate
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? Try speaking any moment you can. The best to learn is through actually speaking.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Freedom
  • Culture
  • Most classes
* What could be improved?
  • Everyone should get similiar housing
  • More communication about COVID
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I planned trips earlier.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.