Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The world is SO BIG! August 22, 2023

By (Film, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 01/08/2023 to 05/25/2023 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was INCREDIBLY WORTHWHILE. I got to live a life completely different from my own at home for a little while which was refreshing and exciting. I learned a lot about myself and what I want my life to look like in the future. (I want it full of traveling and learning!!!) I also got to meet so many people from all over the country whom I never would have if I didn't take the chance to go abroad.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The specific apartment I lived in was not very friendly and/or accommodating to its students but IES Abroad tried to step in and stand up for its program participants when they had issues.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I think it gave me what I was looking for with my level of Spanish speaking experience. I would like to go into it with the experience I have gained so I could better take advantage of being in such a great location for traveling throughout Europe. I also would have tried to meet more locals.

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? At least $200 (probably more)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to book your trips far in advance and when flights are cheap. There are plenty of good restaurants that do not cost that much, just search for those.

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? 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? 7th Semester 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? You definitely have to find people that WANT to speak the language with you. A lot of people on the IES Abroad program just don't even try to speak Spanish when they are outside of the singular classroom. Personally, I tried to order all my food in Spanish, talk to the cab drivers, and other things like that to take advantage of the practice while I was living there.

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
  • International Students
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?
  • I loved taking classes at the partnership universities because I could meet people who weren't just Americans
  • IES Abroad had a lot of cultural immersion trips and activities that really helped you learn about the culture you were living in
  • The program was HUGE so there were so many people I could meet and get to know
* What could be improved?
  • If you only take classes through IES, it's harder to meet people who aren't American
  • The IES facilities isn't an actual campus, it's just a building which I think is misleading to some
  • A lot of the people on the program are there for the party lifestyle and don't actually want to speak spanish (YOU CAN DO BOTH)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have put more of an effort in to speak Spanish and get to know locals because it is a crazy opportunity to practice that I might never get again. I also wish I realized how much of a prime spot it is to travel all over Europe (I would have planned more ahead and saved some money on trips)

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.