Barcelona" The best city in the World Past Review
By justin w (International affairs, University of Colorado - Boulder) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
I would have spent all four of my college years abroad.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Autonomous University of Barcelona |
| 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. |
The workload was too easy. American students made a joke of the classes. If you push yourself, you will learn tremendous amounts. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA staff is there to help you in every way possible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was not happy with my host family first semester. I switched at the end of it, and lived with a saint second semester. |
| * Food: |
Spanish food is mediocre |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There are way too many for me to list. Every day is an adventure, and every day something new and exciting will happen. You must find these things out on your own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in my host country. If you get drunk, you will get pickpocketed at some point. But that is just a risk you are taking. |
| 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 used Spanish daily. I lived with host families, and took spanish in school both semesters. It improved greatly. |
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? | Open your eyes, ears, and heart |
