Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life Changing Past Review

By (Marketing/Global Perspectives, Bentley University) - abroad from 09/25/2012 to 12/13/2012 with

Universidad de Pompeu Fabra (UPF): Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience helped me grow as an individual. I learned about a different culture as I was actually living in it, something that made it even more fascinating, and got to travel to places I had never had the opportunity to visit before. I can definitely see myself going back to Barcelona and even living there someday.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were definitely interesting especially if they were about Spanish topics such as Art or History. There was decent amount of work assigned and professors set the bar high when it came to expectations about works that we had to hand in.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff at the OMA office were very helpful and diligent. They helped throughout the semester and always had helpful answers to all of my questions. Overall they were very efficient.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I got to live at an apartment with two other friends in the middle of the city and I would definitely recommend it to other students who are planning to go abroad. I believe that this way you get to have the full experience, since you actually get involved and explore the city, its neighborhoods and even the local stores you find around your house.

* Food:

Food in Barcelona is amazing! My best advice would be to take risks and try everything.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I mainly took courses with other American students that were studying abroad, but at the same time since I was living on my own I got the sense of what the culture was like and merge with my surroundings making me feel as if I was part of the culture at a certain point.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I only had one health issue while I was abroad, and the healthcare company assisted me throughout the way and made everything easier. I can say I definitely felt calm and secure throughout the entire process since they were there to offer me guidance and support along the way.

* Safety:

I always felt safe walking around the city and riding the metro.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Book trips ahead of time, and look for apartments instead of hotels when you're traveling. They are usually cheaper and you can have at least breakfast there and save money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Loved the food.
  • Being able to travel and visit other countries
  • Being able to meet so many people from so many different countries.
* What could be improved?
  • How grades transfer back to Bentley.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I didn't really know what to expect from the courses I enrolled in, but now I know that most of them were with other American students something I really wasn't expecting and didn't really like.

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.