Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Epic March 23, 2026

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/12/2026 to 04/12/2026 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I gained self confidence, improved my language skills, got to travel and see a lot of new places, and meet new people. I loved living in Barcelona and getting to get to know the city.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great resources and teacher quality, but the classes were not particularly demanding. Appreciated the variety of guest lectures, field trips, and hands on learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was hard to schedule a meeting with them through their office hours link, and when I did nobody showed up. They were responsive over email however.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was responsible for securing my own housing and living arrangements. I had a great apartment, but it was expensive and the program administrators were not helpful at all when it came to helping students with accommodation resources.

* Food:

I was responsible for cooking my own meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not feel integrated to the local culture at all. My classes were all Americans, though they were in Spanish. We had very limited contact with local students, and there were very few clubs/campus life opportunities to meet locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was responsible for registering my own health care through an agency recommended by the program. It was very easy to register and cheap. I did not have any health issues so cannot speak to the quality of the services provided.

* Safety:

I only felt unsafe when out at night alone. My friend was robbed and had her phone stolen, which is why I docked two stars. Pickpocketing and robberies are relatively common here.

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)

My budget was $284/week and I consistently found myself going over this.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $284
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home when at all possible. Cook multiple servings of a meal in one batch and then eat it throughout the week to minimize cooking costs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I was encouraged to use the language in my classes, which I took in Spanish. However, I felt that at times teachers underestimated our competency and consistently translated things into English when it was not necessary.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? SPAN 251
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to find and attend language tandem events to find people who are open to practicing with you.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Taking classes in Spanish
  • Living in Barcelona
* What could be improved?
  • More exposure with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how quickly my time would go by! Also the type of student who studies abroad in Barcelona can be somewhat cliquey and most students already come with their friends from their home universities. Not much immersion opportunities.

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.