Over in a blink of an eye Past Review
By patty.mcallister.98 (Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/11/2013 with
Universidad de Pompeu Fabra (UPF): Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned way more about myself than I ever would have back at home. It was definitely worth it because you have to step out of your comfort zone every day and thats hard to do, but a great experience.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was a bit unorganized, but the study abroad office at UPF was very helpful in every way possible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would have liked to live with UPF students and closer to the university, but my flat was very well equipped. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself and barely bought lunch at the school. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You have to make an effort, i could have left myself completely out of the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got food poisoning and the local pharmacy gave me the proper medicine. |
| * Safety: |
My apartment was in a very safe residential area, but the city as a whole has a lot of theft. |
| 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) |
I found the food to be very inexpensive as long as a I cooked for myself and did not eat out that often. It is easy you manage, you just have to put effort in. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | 1. Cook for yourself 2. just be smart about what is necessary and what is a luxury |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | MLSP 101 |
| 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? | Speak as often as possible and get a language exchange partern |
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? | The first few weeks are way harder than I expected. It took a lot of adjusting and I wish someone told me, that while the experience is amazing, the first few weeks are pretty brutal and a major adjusting period. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
