Incredible January 30, 2025
By A student (Psychology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/02/2025 to 12/14/2024 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned the importance of work life balance and making space for things that you genuinely enjoy
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 were not difficult but it was nice because it left space and time for me to explore Barcelona and other countries in Europe |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were amazing and so helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Apartment was great! |
| * Food: |
The food was incredible! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I was able to integrate into local culture at least a little bit, which was nice! I think it’s hard though if you’re not actively trying to speak with locals or know where to hang out to meet locals |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn’t experience anything health related but it was good from what I heard from others |
| * Safety: |
Pretty much felt safe wherever I went. Of course, still taking normal precautions. I had to pay more attention to my things in terms of pickpocketing but it wasn’t that big of a deal as long as my stuff was close to me |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I truly loved Barcelona and met so many people that I hope to see again one day! |
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) |
Very easily! Buying groceries every week was pretty cheap. I never spent over €40 for a weeks worth of groceries! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €35 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save at least 3-5k if you plan on traveling a lot |
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 |
We practiced with the ladies in student success everyday and they hosted living in spanish events for us to practice spanish too |
| 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? | Beginner Spanish 102 |
| 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? | Talk. Talk. Talk! |
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? | n/a |
