I would do anything to relive every single moment abroad. Past Review
By Hailey Andersen (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 06/16/2017 to 09/28/2017 with
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Every second was worthwhile. I learned so much about different cultures and values. I gained so much confidence, joy, passion for traveling and understanding of what things are like on the other side of the world. Taking classes at an actual university made things so much more worthwhile as well. I got a lot better at Spanish and I was exposed to so many different ways of learning.
Review Photos
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. |
It was amazing. My classes were really fun and not very intense on homework or anything. I learned a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got a sinus infection while I was in Barcelona. The pharmacies were very easy to get over the counter medicines from. There is a pharmacy on basically every corner. I had to go to the doctor in Barcelona when I got the sinus infection and it went very smoothly and efficiently. They had english translators there to help me. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. I never had a single problem with anything in Barcelona. You just have to be smart and never be alone late at night. Always get a cab if you find yourself alone trying to get home if it is late. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was run very well. They were very organized, and they were always there to help and answer any questions needed. They take safety very seriously and I trusted them. The class options were great, and they had awesome excursion options. They did an amazing job of matching roommates together and gave great recommendations on things to do in the city. |
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) |
I feel like it depends on what you want to do. I had meals prepared for me, but I still found myself spending a lot of money on other things like concert tickets, activities and plane tickets. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | on average probably $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much money as you can. While you are over there, you may as well do everything that you want to while you can. So make sure you have the money for it. |
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 |
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| 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? | It was not required for my program |
| 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? | Use it as much as possible. Even if you are saying something wrong, at least try. You pick up on things the more you pay attention and speak. I put my phone on the Spanish/Catalan setting and that helped me prepare for when I got to Barcelona language wise. |
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? | Nowhere takes American Express |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
