Wonderful Experience with IES in Barcelona: Highly Recommend! October 24, 2024
By Westin B (Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/08/2024 to 04/26/2024 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I felt like I learned so much about myself and how I operate in unfamiliar environments. By essentially creating a new life from scratch, I learned about what elements of my environment I need in to be in place to maintain my wellbeing. Furthermore, my sense of cultural literacy was greatly expanded, and I now have a profound understanding of how one's culture impacts their perspective. It was 100% worthwhile.
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. |
Classes were not very intensive, but did develop a good understanding of Barcelona culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were so kind! They helped me with any issue that I had and organizing fun and culturally immersive events. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a homestay, and it was the best experience. It was located in a quaint residential part of the city, and I had my own room. My host parents were incredibly friendly and cooked delicious food for us. |
| * Food: |
The food scene in Barcelona doesn't compare to anywhere else! I didn't engage in it much, as two meals a day were provided to me, but with what exploring I did do I had the best time! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I found it difficult to immerse myself into the local culture without taking classes at a local university. My entire semester there, I didn't make a single lasting local friend. Still, simply taking classes downtown was a terrific experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall, I felt very safe in Barcelona. Pickpocketing is quite common, though. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I'd likely opt for a program that has more involvement with local university students. This could be achieved by taking local classes through this program, though. |
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) |
In Barcelona, all I really had to pay for was a lunch every day and a few snacks. On the weekends, I traveled to other locations and spent much more money than that, but even those flights were relatively inexpensive. It's definitely an affordable city. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I'd honestly say that while you're studying abroad, you shouldn't be afraid to spend more money that you'd typically be willing to. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you shouldn't let that slip away. However, if you are opting to save money: don't eat out for every single meal and rely on public transportation services rather than rideshare services. |
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 |
| 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? | USE IT as much as you can, and don't be afraid to make mistakes! I'd say that you should have a conversation in the language at least once a day in order to significantly gain skills, so find either a friend or someone local to do this with. At restaurants and stores, try your best to communicate in the local language: those are the best ways to get some quick practice! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I had known more ways of getting involved with the local student population, and people my age in general. I learned of a beach volleyball group and a couple of popular bars much later in the program, and I wish I had sought out those opportunities more. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
