Barcelona: Always a Party Past Review
By Sarah M (Art History and Psychology, University of Colorado - Boulder) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
My experience was very worthwhile. I was able to experience and live in a culture that was different from my own, which broadened my understandings and view points. I learned how to rely on myself and successfully travel abroad through many different countries.
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 workload was very manageable. The grading was pretty hard, but overall very fair. The biggest different in the education system was the amount of class presentations instead of tests or papers and the harder grading system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I don't think the program had any major weaknesses. The program office and staff were very accessible and always very nice and helpful. Many of them were locals so they had a lot of good suggestions and tips about the country, as well as a good knowledge about safety and health. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host family was very sensitive to my dietary restrictions, namely vegetarianism. They made very delicious alternatives to meet and all the meals had a variety of options, including main course, salad, veggies, and fruit for desert (or sometimes ice cream). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going to a soccer game was a very memorable cultural event that I would suggest everyone do. Soccer is such an important thing in Barcelona that it was really neat to go and experience it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Barcelona is a relatively safe city. There is a very high risk of pickpocketing that everyone needs to be very careful about. Besides that, I also felt very safe. However, it is a big metropolitan city, so although there weren't any starkly apparent safety hazards, it is always important to be aware of what is going on around you. |
| 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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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