Barcelona: Nothing like I expected, but 100% worth it Past Review
By Celina A (Spanish & International Relations, The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I became a lot more flexible and adaptable because of this experience. I learned to communicate with others more efficiently. I have traveled a lot, prior to this program, but this was the first time I was on my own, fending for myself and overcoming obstacles on my own. This experience made me realize how small and connected the world is and I have learned not to be overwhelmed by challenges or supposed limits. I also came home a lot more patriotic. Being abroad teaches you to appreciate and respect other cultures, but it also makes you more aware of the positive and negative factors of your own country. I came back a lot more appreciative of my country, despite feeling totally comfortable abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was definitely manageable. I took a history class taught in Spanish which meant all texts were written in Spanish, all papers had to be written in Spanish and you were expected to communicate in Spanish. This is a great way to improve your language skills. I also learned a great deal about Spanish history and thoroughly enjoyed the class. The grading system is extremely different from the American educational system. A's are not easy to earn and are only given for near perfect papers/assignments. Additionally, many of the locals are content with passing. If you put forth the effort and study it is not difficult to do well. You just have to adapt to the different grading and teaching methods. Also, don't hesitate contacting the professors. They are very helpful and will address any concerns you may have. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The entire faculty of this program was very accessible and helpful in answering all questions. They got things done in a timely manner (those things of course that were in their control). The majority of the staff were extremely knowledgable about the host country and American higher education (including even some of the universities that send the most number of students). The internship program was the perfect size. We were the smallest of the Barcelona summer programs which meant we got individual attention and became a very close-knit group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt very safe in the area in which my apartment was located. Of course, I was still very cautious because there were students that were pickpocketed just outside our building. The apartment was about 20 minutes away by metro from the program's center. Nightlife was also close by (metro or taxi. Walking at night could be a little far and force you to walk in not-so-safe areas). I brought my own sheets and towels but all the kitchen supplies were provided. My biggest complaint with the housing was the RA we were assigned. There was a huge discomfort level (mostly because she allowed her boyfriend to stay with us overnight) and disrespected our shared living spaces by leaving it unclean/unsanitary. Towards the end of the program, the student affairs department let her go and offered to put my roommate and I up in a hotel while our RA was moving out to avoid any tension. We stayed in the apartment on the condition that the locks were changed once she had left, and the program did so within hours of her leaving. |
| * Food: |
Because I lived in an apartment, my roommates and I split the cost of groceries and cooked most of our meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Costa Brava weekend trip organized by the program was a great way to start off the trip and get to know other people in the program. Barcelona (and surrounding cities/towns) is an extremely rich city in terms of culture and you will never fun out of things to do between all the museums, beaches, parks (Guell, for example) and clubs. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program is very good at telling you which areas to avoid in the city. Always be aware of your surroundings and don't make yourself too known (by that, I mean, don't make it blatantly obvious that you're American). The kids who got sick in the program were well taken care of and provided with doctor's appointments as quickly as possible. The program is also great at helping you when you do experience some sort of safety issue. My roommate's passport was stolen and they were very helpful in providing her with advice and steps on how to file a police report and get a new one as quickly as possible. I did not need vaccines specifically for this program, however, my doctor at home suggested I get a meningitis booster because of the close contact I would have living with so many other people. My suggestion to the program would be requiring that students provide a vaccination record (an individual in our program broke out with the chickenpox). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For what was provided in the program, I think the cost was a little expensive. However, having the staff/faculty there to provide advice and make me feel safe was worth it. I think you don't get your money's worth when you live in an apartment because NO meals are provided. Food and groceries are what I spent the most money on. If you want to save, I suggest living in a homestay where meals are provided. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The internship program is a great way to challenge yourself both professionally and personally. You need to be open-minded and willing to work hard. This program requires an independent and responsible student- you represent yourself and the U.S. in your place of work and the program and your employer expect you to be reliable and punctual. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary History of Spain |
| Course Department: | HS334 |
| Instructor: | Josep Grau |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The class was challenging in a good way. We read a lot of articles in Spanish that were occasionally difficult but provided a lot of information. We did quite a few field studies which involved going to various sites in Barcelona to learn about various events in Spanish history (particularly during the civil war) that occurred in Barcelona. These were really interesting and helped us gain a better understanding of the history and culture. It was also great to be led by our professor because he was so knowledgeable in the subject. Our teacher was well-prepared and encouraged us to participate in class. I participated quite a bit in class because it was small and everyone in the program felt comfortable with one another. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I am still waiting for my petition to be approved by my home institution, so I don't know yet if my course will count. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Internship Seminar (Summer Intensive Internship Program) |
| Course Department: | IN395 |
| Instructor: | Alistair Charles |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was a great course the purpose of which was to provide a forum to discuss our internships. It was very helpful, because we discussed certain challenges we faced in our internship placements and got advice on how to adapt to some of the obstacles that are expected when working in a foreign environment. We also worked on our CVs and cover letters to make them more professional and also to include our internships. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I don't know yet if this course will count, but I'm under the impression it won't count towards either of my majors. |
