Wish I was still there! Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/24/2015 to 12/10/2015 with
Universidad de Pompeu Fabra (UPF): Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that I would like to live in Barcelona upon graduation and I also learned about so many different cultures by traveling on the weekends. I would definitely recommend studying abroad, because it is the only time you will be able to travel to so many places for such a low cost.
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. |
The classes were the right level of difficulty and all of my professors were very approachable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My school had a study abroad office and every time I visited it, I was able to get the help I needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Melon District, a residencia and it was an average experience. It was a fine place to live, I felt safe, and it was very close to campus. However, management did not take care of problems on our flooring and I think a home stay would have been a more interesting experience. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona was incredible and very inexpensive. Groceries were also very inexpensive and there are markets to buy food on almost every street. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I speak Spanish, which is definitely helpful if you're in Spain. Even though Catalan is a common language in Barcelona, I was able to get around with Spanish. Barcelona has many different people from all over the world, so many languages are spoken there. One will not feel out of place being from America. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't really experience this as an issue. I did not need medical assistance abroad and I was not in a country that required special vaccinations. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Barcelona. It has a wonderful metro system, is easy to get around, and there aren't many crime issues. As long as you watch your belongings, you won't be pickpocketed. |
| 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 it very easy to live in Barcelona. The food is very inexpensive and if you want to travel airfare and hostels are very cheap. If you aren't careful and spend all of your money on clubs and going out, then you'll run out of money quickly, but you budget, you'll be more than okay. |
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 |
All of my courses were taught in Spanish, so I had to speak Spanish in every class. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper division SPN courses. |
| 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? | Take classes in the language you are trying to learn and make sure to utilize it when you go to restaurants and stores. Even though a lot of things are in English, it's always better to practice the language you're trying to learn. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | How laid back the lifestyle is in Spain, because it was a little alarming not being told test/project dates on the first day of class. |
