Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

She'd Traveled but Didn't Leave too far from Comfort Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 06/19/2016 to 07/20/2016 with

KIIS: Barcelona - Experience Barcelona (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned A LOT of history which forced me to look outside of the United States more. I love that I was able to connect with a few locals or other tourists from different countries even with my broken Spanish! That was really cool! I was so disappointed in myself that I didn't explore more and take more advantage of the trip, so that taught me to not depend so much on people and not to become a chameleon towards what others do. Also, because I was in a country that spoke a different language, I was forced to become confident with my broken Spanish and take a leap of faith to break the language barrier. I could not be shy and I think I've brought the necessity to speak what's on my mind, back to the U.S. Very worth while lesson!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Though Barcelona was beautiful and stocked full with history, I did not feel like I could connect in the life changing way I felt I was supposed to. I put too much pressure on myself, I think, for my first time out of the country and ended up just following the rest of the students around instead of taking full advantage and getting immersed in the culture. I can't express how thankful I am to have gotten to go to Spain at all, but I did feel lonely and slightly bored sometimes (which I could have fixed). I wish I'd gone to a country in Africa to get more of an emotional connection along with the trip...especially for my first time traveling.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I think it was about 50 euros a week, very possibly more.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do as much research on the financial differences between your home country and the country your visiting as you can!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I enjoyed the sight seeing. We went to all of the famous areas in Barcelona
  • I liked the history lessons we got!
  • The food and shopping experiences were amazing!
* What could be improved?
  • More cultural immersion please!
  • A bigger crowd would have made room for more flexibility I think, but that isn't really anything you can predict.
  • I would have liked more opportunity to get in touch with the locals besides just talking to my waiter.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how dependent I was on people that look like me and/or come from the same culture as me. I thought I was so independent but I was really missing black companionship. I felt so alone sometimes.

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 Urbanite
A 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.