Best Times in Barcelona! Past Review
By Molly Meinhart (University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 06/01/2018 to 07/13/2018 with
SAI Study Abroad: Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)
I gained a new appreciation for the Spanish people and culture. I also learned a lot about Europe in general through my travels. It was more than worthwhile.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Before my program, I could never have imagined how beneficial my courses abroad would be. I took a cross-cultural management and a Spanish class and they were incredible. Both were very engaging, interactive, and I learned more than I ever thought I would. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sandrine and Leticia were my program directors in Barcelona and they are the reason my experience was as incredible as it was. They were so supportive and really interested in how our stay was going. We had numerous activities with just our group and they made sure that we all bonded and became a family before we left. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very satisfied! I was in an apartment with 5 other girls and we had so much fun! We were very centrally located in the city. Only a 5 minute walk to school and very close to many metro stops so we could really get anywhere very quickly. |
| * Food: |
Of course I loved the food! Its Spain! I was constantly finding new cafes and restaurants that I loved. Ordering food was one of the easiest ways to practice spanish on a regular basis. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as though I was very well integrated with the local culture. I spent a lot of time in cafe down the street from my apartment and got to know the ladies working there very well. I also participated in the local buddies program so I was paired with a local Spanish person with whom I shared similar interests, and she showed me around to her favorite local spots. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally had no serious health problems while abroad however I did feel confident that had I needed help, it would have been readily available. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe during my time abroad. As long as I was aware of my surroundings I felt very safe. |
| 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 |
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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 |
There was not a lot of encouragement to use Spanish within the program, because the majority of students did not speak the language. However, there were plenty of opportunities to practice when I wanted to. |
| 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? | College level courses |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Book weekend trips in advance. |
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. |
