Studying Abroad in Barcelona changed my life! Past Review
By Carter (Stephens College) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 04/24/2015 with
SAI Study Abroad: Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)
I learned a lot about myself and how independent I can be. I didn't think studying abroad would be something I could do on my own, but after doing it I know that I am capable of a lot of things. It was definitely worthwhile and I would study abroad again in a hear beat.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I very much enjoyed my overall educational experience in Barcelona. My teachers were all very well educated, all spoke in great english, and helpful in learning more about culture! |
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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? |
I was very satisfied with my living area in Barcelona. I felt very safe and everything that I needed (food, personal items, etc.) where just around the corner or right across the street. My place wasn't far from my school; only a few metro stops away and the metro station was very easy and helpful to use around the city. |
| * Food: |
AMAZING FOOD! I tried everything under the sun in Barcelona and loved everything. The coffee is exceptional. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the culture and I loved getting to know the culture more. I tried to speak their language as much as I could and became friends with the locals. Spain has such an amazing culture and it was exciting to learn and adapt too. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health problems while I was there, but I know that SAI had that covered for people who had emergencies. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Barcelona, and especially in my neighborhood. I always had someone with me at night anywhere that I went. It was important to our safety that we always have a buddy with us. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Of course I would chose SAI to do study abroad all over again. There is no one else that I would trust better than SAI. There service was so helpful from the very beginning till the very end! I love their commitment to their students. |
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 didn't have a lot of trouble with money while I was over there, everything was a bit cheaper than it was here in the states but that is not the case for everywhere in Europe. But in Spain especially I didn't have any money problems. |
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 coordinator definitely encouraged me and my entire group to learn the language as best as we could. She also wanted us to get to know the locals more and most of us did that and had an amazing time meeting new friends and learning a language that isn't that easiest. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I took Spanish all throughout high school and one college course before I went over to Spain. |
| 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? | Honestly, learning the language in high school helped a little but it's more about communicating it with other people. I thought it was easier to learn the language just by using it in my every day language while I was there and try really hard not to speak English at restaurants, shopping centers, grocery stores,etc. |
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? | Studying abroad is not as scary as it seems. |
