Barcelona: Nothing else like it. Past Review
By Zac N (Business/Corporate Communications., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned a lot about the Spanish, and myself.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
High level of attention to all students. There was a single faculty person that wasn't always willing to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
One very small bed room was split between myself and my roommate. Host mom was very caring, but the food was always simple and unimpressive. |
| * Food: |
The city's food is great, there are plenty of good places to grab lunch or dinner (or breakfast after a long night). Home-stay's food was sub-par. Must visit restaurant: Bo De B. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Attended two scheduled weekend trips to France and Majorca, both were very well scheduled and included above expected accommodation (very busy though). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | none |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fourth Semester Profeciency |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
When around other students, we spoke English. During class and everyday interactions with the city, Spanish was used. |
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? | A student who is looking to learn Spanish, and values a home organization that is very well organized and handles incidents well. But also a student who is looking to meet other students and try to learn the culture of the city. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish 202 Intermediate Spanish |
| Course Department: | 202 |
| Instructor: | Daniel Rodroguez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Well balanced, good mix of lecture and practice. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Marketing - A European Approach |
| Course Department: | N/A |
| Instructor: | Jay Maroe |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Very interesting course, well taught and structured. Good class to get an international perspective. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
