Barcelona: the greatest city in Europe! :) Past Review

By (International Studies, University of California - Irvine) for

ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Most Definitely!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The work load was not overwhelming. I felt that I still learned a lot as well as was able to still travel and do fun things on the weekend. Some teachers were more difficult to understand than others but overall good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes I felt that only one or two people in the office knew everything and the other people were just there

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everything was provided for sheets, towels etc.. I loved my host family. I got a really good one. I was there for the whole school year and really started feeling like family towards the end

* Food:

My host mom made the best food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was able to travel to many places around Spain as well as Europe. I even got to go to Morocco!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Barcelona is a very safe city. the worse that will probably happen is that you will probably get pick-pocketed

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

with my spanish teachers, and host family. With other Americans we mostly spoke English which I wish we didnt

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location was right in the city center
  • Took care of me when I was sick
  • Paired me with an awesome host family
* What could be improved?
  • More trips together
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think this program can be good for multiple types of students looking for an awesome study abroad experience. If the student just wants to have one big party, Barcelona is a good city for that and the program is very chill and fun. If the student wants to have a typical spanish experience and whats to really adapt to the culture, the program offers home stays and intercambios (language exchange partners) which can really help with assimilating into the culture.