An incredible semester in Barcelona May 27, 2025
By A student (Political Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/06/2025 to 04/11/2025 with
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
I increased my language skills, made lots of new friends, become very comfortable and familiar with a new city, and was able to do lots of traveling. This semester was the best few months of my life and incredibly worthwhile.
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. |
This program had great resources yet the academic rigor and intensity was quite low. |
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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 had some health issues while abroad and ended up visiting the hospital three times. Fortunately, my insurance covered all of my expenses and receiving medical care was quick and easy. z |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While the educational intensity of my program was much less than I was used to, this did end up allowing me a lot of time to explore the city I lived in. The housing I was provided with was in a fantastic location in the heart of the city, and I made great friends in my classes. Additionally, even though class material was not very difficult, I still had very interesting and intelligent professors. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200+ |
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 |
My program did not do much to encourage students to use the language, it was not a requirement to take a language class. Though, I found it easy to use the language during my own time. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Second year university level |
| 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? | Only speaking the local language when interacting with people in public and making local friends. |
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? | Nothing |
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. |
