Barcelona was the Best Time of my Life!! Past Review
By Catherine S (International Area Studies, Saint Mary's College of California) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
I always wanted to study abroad and I am so happy I went when I did and with the program I did. I did not know anyone on my program before I left, but I made so many new friends from around the country and really improved my Spanish by living with a host family. I had a wonderful experience that has only help me positively as I graduate and prepare for a full time job. Employers think very highly of a person who has been abroad and is better able to adapt to new surroundings and communicate with people of different cultures and backgrounds. Knowing a second language has also been a huge help. I will recommend study abroad to everyone I know!!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universitat Pompeu Fabra |
| 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. |
classes were only 4 days a week and the workload was very light. I took four classes and three of them were in Spanish and I think they were almost more lenient with grading because Spanish is not my first language. I had all wonderful teachers and did very well in my classes! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought the entire staff in Barcelona was wonderful, knowledgeable and very helpful with travel tips and homework help. I was in their office often. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family, the Anel's, were wonderful! We lived ten blocks from campus and it was easy to get everywhere from my house. Great location, great food and my host mom always did our laundry for us. I shared a bedroom with one girl and we had bunk beds. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona is great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
ISA planed nice day/weekend trips and there was not a whole lot of restriction as to where we could go exploring. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There are a lot of pickpockets in Barcelona, but as long as you do not wander late a night with a small group of students in uncrowded areas you will be fine. I never had any problems with pick pocketing, but I had friends that did. Girls always need to watch their purses and bags and always be accompanied by a guy when going out. As long as you take precautions you should be fine. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my professors and host family mainly. If was fairly easy to find an English speaker if needed, but I would say that most people speak Spanish and Catalan on the streets. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Barcelona is a very modern and diverse city. It is a lot different from the rest of Spain, but it is hands down my favorite city in Europe! |
